Malia Riggs
Elmore/Autauga News
The Autauga County Commission met Tuesday to discuss and adopt an array of topics from remembering a former Autauga Commissioner, enacting Operation Green Light for veterans and welcoming Sen. Clyde Chambliss, who read a heartwarming remembrance to the family of the late commissioner Bill Pace.
Sen. Chambliss read a resolution in remembrance of Bill Pace to his wife and family at the start of the meeting. The resolution honored both Pace, and his service to his community.
William Pace was 90 years of age when he passed in March of this year.
He was born in Deatsville, Alabama to Walls and Savannah Pace on the 1st day of September, 1932. He graduated from Sidney Lanier in 1951. He joined the Air Force and served his country in the Korean War Conflict as a crew chief on Fighter/Reconnaissance jet aircraft. Upon return, Bill was in a car accident in 1955 near Eglin A.F.B. in which he lost his arm and spent six months in the hospital.
This would change the course of his life but not his spirit. Pace was in the real estate business and afterwards began a 25-year career in Air Force Civil Service at Maxwell/Gunter A.F.B.
From 1990-94 he served on the Autauga County Commission as Chairman and worked diligently and honestly for the people of Autauga County and District Four. He served on the Department of Youth Services Board of Directors and was active with Autauga County AARP. Pace was also a member of the Autauga County Republican Committee for many years.
He was a Christian man who attended church regularly. Over the years he loved leading the singing and directing the choir, teaching Sunday School and supporting missionaries. He was a member of Heritage Baptist Church.
Pace was also a wonderful cook and loved shopping at the commissary. He was a farmer and cherished his garden from which he would give vegetables to friends and family. He was happiest on his tractor, in the garden or at the stove cooking for the family. He was a hardworking man and even though he only had one arm, he could outwork anyone.
Pace is survived by his wife of 50 years, Helen (Monfee) Pace and his children Alan Pace, Jayne Melton (Glenn), Reid Pace (Denise) and Judge Joy Ruth Pace Booth. He is also survived by daughter-in-law Mande Pace; grandchildren Clint Simpson, Brint Simpson (Andrea), Abigail Pace, Bowie Booth, Callie Savannah Booth and Caroline Booth, along with numerous great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his first wife, Myrtle Dawson Pace, his son Wayne Pace, his grandson Landon Pace and his sister, Ann Wakefield.
In other business:
Operation Green Light was voted on and adopted by county commissioners Tuesday night for Autauga County. “Autauga appreciates the sacrifice of our United States personnel and believes specific recognition should be granted,” Chairmen Jay Thompson said.
Nov. 6th-11th is a new patriotic tradition to salute and honor men and women from their transition from active service to civilian life. Everyone can take part by showing a green light in places of business or residence.
House representative Jerry Starnes was also in attendance and was proud to announce a
$400,000 grant for Kingston Park made possible by by Gov. Kay Ivey and administered by ADECA. The funds will be used to rejuvenate the park for the future.
He also gave a brief legislative update. Starnes also reported that every penny from the Alabama Trust Fund has been paid back in full, all $437 million dollars. During an economic downturn years ago, the state borrowed money from the fund, but now paying back all of that money is complete.
All other resolutions were approved in Tuesday’s meeting.
View the agenda from Tuesday night’s meeting here:
