Obit of the Day

Obit of the Day: Longest Lived Person, “Bullet in Head” Category

In 1909, eight-year-old William Lawlis Pace and his brother were playing around - with a .22 caliber rifle. The gun went off, and a bullet lodged in his head. Considering it too dangerous to remove, doctors left the bullet where it was. Although Pace would have vision issue in his right eye, and the right side of his face would droop, there were no serious side effects.

Pace, who would be married for 71 years, was contacted by officials from the Guinness Book of Records in 2006. According to their records (who keeps those?), Pace had become the record-holder for a person who has lived the longest with a bullet in their head, at 88 years.

Upon his death at the age of 103, Pace’s record now stands at 94 years. A record no one is likely - or really wants to - break.

(Image of William Lawlis Pace’s X-ray showing the .22 caliber bullet lodged in his skull is courtesy of lettera43.it)