WILLIE "WILLIAM" JEROLD PACE

WILLIAM JEROLD PACE, affectionately known as “Willie” by his family and friends, was born in Okmulgee, Oklahoma on June 20, 1932. He was the youngest of six children born to William Pace and Inez Edwards Pace. He was preceded in death by his parents and all of his siblings.

Willie like his brother, Charles was a farmer providing for their family. However, Willie was a troublesome child, because he did not like being a farmer and wanted to grow up fast. That’s when he got the name “Man” and his brother was called “Son”.

Willie attended Rosenwald High School in Oklahoma City. When his brother Charles joined the army, the family would sit around and read his letters over and over again. Willie, who wanted to be like his brother, joined the army at fifteen years of age. He fought in the Korean War, where he served six years before receiving his Honorable Discharge in 1951.

After his military service, Willie followed his brother to San Diego. He worked at Convair Aerospace in transportation, where he met Marietta McKenzie.  In 1959, they united in marriage and to their union two children were born, Sabrina Michelle Pace and Gerald Dewitt Pace.  Gerald preceded Willie in death.

After numerous years with Convair, Willie along with his valuable transportation, skills became a long-distance Contract Driver with Republic Van Lines, hauling furniture and later he became an Independent Contract Driver with Mayflower Van Lines, driving from coast to coast. He even placed his children’s name on his truck. Willie always kept in touch with his parents in Oklahoma City and extended family in various other states.

In 1975, he married Lorenza “Lori” Taylor. Together they started the Pace Trucking Company and also purchased several apartment units. As a landlord, he kept the rent affordable to help those in the community with low and fair income rates. He was a noble and fair landlord.

Willie eventually retired from long-distant driving; yet he could not let go of the wheel and eventually started driving cement trucks which lasted for three years.

In the early 1980’s, Willie and Lori started a produce market in the Southeastern area of San Diego. They marketed fresh eggs, bread and produce to the community.

During his retirement years, Willie became a tourist charter bus driver for “Sun Diego Charter Company”. He loved taking control of the microphone and being the tour guide; telling about San Diego along with his funny jokes.  You would think he lived in San Diego all his life. Willie had friends all over the United States. He is one of the few that has been in all 50 states. What an amazing life! His most enduring legacy is that he was a good and decent man who touched many lives in ways we will always remember.

On Thursday, November 22, 2018, Thanksgiving Day, Willie Jerold Pace passed away peacefully at his residence. He leaves behind to cherish his memory his daughter Sabrina Carnell-Williams, son-in-law, Leslie Williams, two grandchildren, Lovell L. Carnell all of San Diego, CA and Gerald Dewitt Pace Jr. of Bakersfield, CA, and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

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