William (Bill) L. Pace, Sr. passed away peacefully at the Presbyterian Hospital in Denton Texas following a battle with the Covid-19 virus.  He was born and raised in McAlester, Oklahoma to Melvin David Pace and Ethel Mae (Driver).  Bill met and married Irma Jean Emerson in 1954.  They lived their humble beginnings in a boxcar on the family property. Two of Bill's children, Diana Lynn Meyers and William L. Pace, Jr. were born in McAlester, OK., prior to enlisting in the US Army in 1957.

After Bill served in Korea as a gunner, he moved his family to Longview, Washington in search of better opportunities.  He went to work at Weyerhaeuser Paper mill, and enjoyed the northwest, hunting and fishing.  His third child, Janice Celeski, was born in Longview.  Bill later divorced and moved to Othello Washington.  He was known for his sense of humor and he never met a stranger.  In the early years Bill enjoyed rodeo team roping, but his passion was gardening and bass fishing.  He eventually retired from McCains Food Processing in Othello and moved to Denton Texas.

Bill is remembered by his surviving daughter, Janice Celeski of Castle Rock, WA., his grandchildren Braden Beisse of Portland, OR., William L. Pace III, of Renton, WA., Kristen Celeski of Goodyear, AZ., and Jessica Lichau of Santa Rosa, CA., four great grandchildren, Parker Beisse, Libby Lichau, Kaylee Marcil, Julien Martinez and numerous nieces and nephews.

Bill was proceeded in death by his parents Melvin and Ethel Pace, two children, Diana and Bill Jr. and all of his brothers and sisters, Marvin Pace, Joe Pace, Viola Wood, Juanita Pennuel, Ruby Rennels and Geraldine Bailey.

A private ceremony will be held in the summer of 2021 in Cannon Beach, OR. Cremation has taken place.  The family sends a special thank you to Ms. Wanda Holcomb of Denton, TX, Elizabeth Emerson, Denton County Veteran Services, the staff at the Carriage House and all of the caregivers at Presbyterian Hospital who went above and beyond in Bill's final days.