SALUDA – David Phillip “Phill” Pace, 77, of Saluda, went home to be with the Lord, Saturday, March 14, 2026.

Born in Hendersonville, he was the son of the late Ector Hobart Pace, Sr. and Mary Ballard Pace. Phill was a graduate of Saluda High School and went on to attend Queens College in Charlotte. Phill worked in many occupations during his career including working with Polk County School System at the Bus Garage and driving a school bus after work. Phill finished his career at Charah, Inc. as a truck driver. He was a member of Mud Creek Baptist Church in Hendersonville.

Phill was a loving, kind, gentle and patient man. He leaves behind his memory of how he touched people’s lives and made their world a better place.

In addition to his parents, Phill was preceded in death by a brother, Rick Pace.

Surviving is his loving, devoted and strong wife of 49 years, Patricia Orr Pace which was the love of her life now, forever and will always be truly missed; two daughters, Patricia Josephine Pace of Hendersonville, which he adored and in return, she adored him and Myrna Jones of Canton; one son, David Enoch of Colorado; one brother, Hobart “Sonny” Pace (Madeline) of Saluda; one sister-in-law, Myra Pace of Montana. Also surviving are five grandchildren.

A celebration of Phill’s life will be held at 3:30 p.m., Tuesday, March 24, 2026, at First Baptist Church of Saluda with Reverend Jimmy Owens.

The family will receive friends prior to the service Tuesday from 3:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the church.

McFarland Funeral Chapel & Crematory

Tryon, North Carolina