William Rector Pace was born September 24, 1925, to William Riley and Nora Catherine Newsom Pace, at Noland, Arkansas. He passed away Friday, August 14, at the Randolph County Nursing Home in Pocahontas.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his only brother, Lehman Tilden Pace, and his wife of 71 years, Alice Rosetta Tyler.

Rector is survived by a daughter Sharon Pace Gardner, of Pocahontas, and son Stephen Riley (Lisa) of Jonesboro; four grandsons: Dr. Eric Gardner of Germantown, TN, COL Whitney (Melissa) Gardner of Ft Rucker, AL, and Rory (Kelly) Gardner, Dr. Riley Pace, and his favorite granddaughter Dr. Kadra Pace of Memphis, TN. Five great-grandchildren also survive: Grason, Greta, Hannah, Emily, and Jameson Gardner, as well as many beloved brothers- and sisters-in-law, nieces and nephews.

Aside from farming jobs in his youth, Rector had two employers in his working career - the Wonder Horse Factory for two weeks before it moved from Pocahontas and Brown Shoe Factory for 43 years. He was best known for his beautiful and bountiful garden in the Noland community and for sharing the bounty with friends and family. He volunteered on the Chesser Cemetery board for years and served on the committee to get the road paved to Davidsonville State Park. He was a member of the Noland Church of Christ.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests consideration of donations to Children's Home, Inc., 5515 Walcott Rd, Paragould, AR 72450.

Visitation will be held Monday, August 17, at McNabb Funeral Home at 2:00 p.m., with funeral service following at 3:00 p.m. with Joshua Dement officiating. Burial at Chesser Cemetery will follow services.

Nephews serving as pall bearers are Danny Ballard, Jerry Hogue, Doug Tyler, Eugene Tyler, Mickey Tyler, and Randy Tyler.

To follow the directives of Arkansas Governor Asa Hutchinson, masks covering the mouth and nose are required for all persons in Arkansas for all indoor and outdoor settings, with exposure to non-household members where social distancing cannot be assured. Those attending will also be asked to sign a contact registry and maintain a social distance.