Wayne A. "Pa" Pace, 79, of Mooresville, passed away December 04, 2021. He was born on January 29, 1942, in Vincennes, Indiana, to the late Norman J. Pace, Sr. and Bernadine Burton Case. He served in the U.S. Navy and was stationed in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba during the Cuban Missile Crisis. Wayne was later stationed on the USS Constellation (CVA-64). At the time, it was the newest and largest aircraft carrier in the U.S. fleet, and the world. It was also one of the fastest ships in the U.S. Navy and was known as "America's Flagship". He sailed on the Constellation's maiden voyage, which traveled from the Brooklyn Navy Yard in New York, around Cape Horn of South America, and joined the Pacific Fleet in San Diego, California. He was honorably discharged in San Diego in January 1963. Wayne then hitchhiked back across the country to Indiana and married the love of his life, Dora Norton, on July 11, 1964, in Irvington, Indiana.
He worked as a lathe operator for Ford Motor Company for 30 years, retiring in January 1998. He was a member of UAW 1111 and served as a board member for the Double Eleven Credit Union for many years. While working at Ford, Wayne earned an associate degree in electronics from Ivy Tech. He enjoyed woodworking, raising cattle, watching westerns, reading Louis L'Amour books, and outdoor activities such as fishing and hunting. Wayne greatly enjoyed spending time with family, especially his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
The greatest legacy Wayne leaves us is his family and faith. He was a loving husband, selfless father, giving brother, caring uncle, and whimsical grandfather. He greatly enjoyed spending time with family, especially his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He attended St. Susanna Catholic Church in Plainfield and later St. Thomas Moore Catholic Church in Mooresville.
Survivors include his wife of 57 years, Dora "Ma" Pace of Mooresville; sons, Troy M. Pace of Mooresville, Brian A. Pace (Rachel) of Plainfield; brothers, Norman J. Pace (Mildred) of Indianapolis, Daniel Helms (Linda) of Terre Haute; sister, Edith Marie Ferrario of Florida; four grandchildren, Voniqua Simpson (Joshua) of Mooresville, and PFC Briana Pace, Andrew Pace, and Colton Pace, all of Plainfield; and four great grandchildren, Leon, Luke, Lestat, and Loki. He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Earl, Charles, and David Pace; and sisters, Frances Henry and Jeanette Richie.