Mr. Melvin “Bill” Pace, 78, died early Sunday morning June 26, 2016 at the Forrest General Hospital in Hattiesburg. Services for Mr. Pace were held on Friday July 1, 2016 at the Spring Hill M. B. Church with Pastor Roy Thompson officiating. Interment was in the Mt. Zion M. B. Church Cemetery, with Laird Mortuary in charge of arrangements.

Mr. Pace was the second child born to the late Martin Luther “Bush” Pace and the late Maxine “Maxie” White Pace of the Mt. Zion community of Jefferson Davis County. At an early age, he joined the Mt. Zion M. B. Church and remained a member until he moved from the area. After graduating from Prentiss Institute High School, Mr. Pace moved to Gulfport, prior to moving on to Monrovia, CA, where he spent much of his adult life, working for a major food distribution Company in Southern California until his retirement.

Mr. Pace married the former Martha Jean Rogers of Prentiss, and to this union three sons were born, one of whom, Melvin Lorell preceded him in death.

Later in the marriage, one daughter was added to the family.

After retiring from his job in California, Mr. Pace moved back to the Hattiesburg area of Mississippi, where he spent his twilight years enjoying family and friends.

Mr. Pace’s survivors include his loving wife, Martha Jean Pace of Hattiesburg; two sons, Stephon (Tracey) Pace of Valley Center, CA, and Farris Pace of Hattiesburg; one daughter, Kayla M. Hampton of Hattiesburg; one sister, Doris Pace Walker of Monrovia, CA; five brothers, Martin Luther Pace of Columbus, GA, Larry Pace and Jerry Pace, both of Prentiss, Paul W. (Debbie) Pace Anderson, SC, and Johnny Lee Pace of Frankfurt, Germany; two grandsons, Jason C. and Jordan M. Pace, both of Valley Center, CA; two aunts; and a number of other relatives and friends.