Bill Gale Pace

Bill loved school. He joined the football, baseball and basketball teams. He was honored to be chosen most valuable player. He joined Future Farmers of America raising cattle and pigs. He made lifelong friends.

In 1951 he married Wilma Gene Jenkins and joined the U.S. Air Force serving until 1955. The couple settled in Yakima until being transferred to Bellevue, WA in 1961. The family, with children Vila, Rodney and Leon, enjoyed annual vacations camping and boating on Lake Chelan. Later on grandson Raymond was adopted. Gene and Bill played golf and were avid bowlers often participating in national bowling tournaments.

At the time of his retirement Bill was commercial sales manager at Boise Cascade West. Soon he leased and restored the Mercer Slough Blueberry Farm to certified organic status. Later he opened Bill Pace Fruit and Produce in Newport Hills and became a beekeeper.

He was a life-time member of Bellevue Kiwanis serving as adviser to Key Clubs at Newport H.S. and Sammamish H.S. He supported Highland Center programs, especially the building of Camp Brinkley for use by the handicapped, and was a member of the advisory committee, Salvation Army. In the summer he coached Babe Ruth baseball teams in the 1960's and 1970's.

After Gene's death Bill married Marianne Wagner in 2007. They enjoyed cruise vacations, explored the U.S.A. on road trips, attended theater and opera performances and socialized with family and friends.

Bill was preceded in death by his parents, first wife and sons Rodney and Leon. He is survived by wife Marianne, daughter Vila, grandchildren Ray, Bill, Jennifer, Paul and Rebecca, and great-grandchildren Anna, Chris, Evie, Devin, Kaitlin and Cameron.

Bill's family extends grateful thanks to Virginia Mason Wound Care Clinic for the outstanding care he received treating foot problems.

Bill was a kind and generous man with a friendly smile. He was a loving husband, father and Grandpa.

He will be missed by many.

There will be a memorial service on December 27, 2022 at 11: a.m.. at Bellevue First Congregational

Church, 11061 N. E. 2nd St., Bellevue, WA 98004 followed by interment at 2:00 p.m. at Sunset Hill Memorial Park, 1215 145th PI. S.E. Bellevue, WA 98007

In lieu of flowers the family suggests donations to Fred Hutchison Cancer Center, Bellevue First Congregational Church or a charity of choice.