1947
William
2024
William (Bill) Elbert Rice
May 15, 1947 — January 10, 2024
We are saddened to announce the passing of William (Bill) Elbert Rice, 76 years old, of Houston, Texas.
William (Bill) Elbert Rice was born on May 15, 1947 to Lowell Laurence Rice and Gladys Mae Bennett Rice in Clinton, South Carolina. He attended Clinton High School and played on the football team for the Red Devils.
After graduation, Bill then joined the military and honorably served as a Sergeant in the United States Air Force while stationed at Randolph Air Force Base near San Antonio, Texas. He met his wife, Tina, in 1967 at one of the Randolph Air Force Base and college dances held with Incarnate Word College. Bill and Tina married on February 7, 1970 and would have celebrated 54 years of marriage this February 7th.
After his military service, Bill and Tina moved to Houston. Bill graduated from the University of Houston with a Bachelor of Business Administration and worked as a Financial Analyst and Controller throughout his career. He worked mostly in the trucking and food industries including Minute Maid.
Bill enjoyed playing golf and cheering on his favorite college football teams. He was a loyal football fan of his alma mater, the University of Houston Cougars and both his children’s alma mater, the University of Texas Longhorns. He was also an avid supporter of Houston Texans football, Houston Rockets basketball, and Houston Astros baseball.
Bill was preceded in death by his parents; his brothers, Douglas Rice and Lowell Rice; and his sisters, Laverne Rice, Margie Sylvene Rice Yarborough, Barbara Rice Coker, and Dianne Rice Cunningham.
A Memorial Service with Military Honors was held, February 6, 2024 at the Houston National Cemetery in Texas.
Bill is survived by his wife, Christine (Tina) Marie Kahn Rice, whom he was married to for 53 years; his daughter, Stephanie Melissa (Lisa) Rice Perez; and son, Christopher Russell (Rus) Rice. He was a proud grandpa to his granddaughter, Sierra Marie Perez and his grandson, Gabriel Anthony Perez. “Grandpa Bill” enjoyed watching Sierra and Gabriel grow up into two beautiful, sweet and steadfast souls. He is also survived by his brother, Gerald Rice (Pat) of Clinton, SC and his sister, Sandra Rice Wenzl of Gilbert, AZ.
William (Bill) Elbert Rice will be remembered as a beloved husband, dad, and grandpa, and will forever remain in our hearts.
Gray Funeral Home of Clinton is sharing this obituary as a courtesy to the Rice family.
William (Bill) Elbert Rice was born on May 15, 1947 to Lowell Laurence Rice and Gladys Mae Bennett Rice in Clinton, South Carolina. He attended Clinton High School and played on the football team for the Red Devils.
After graduation, Bill then joined the military and honorably served as a Sergeant in the United States Air Force while stationed at Randolph Air Force Base near San Antonio, Texas. He met his wife, Tina, in 1967 at one of the Randolph Air Force Base and college dances held with Incarnate Word College. Bill and Tina married on February 7, 1970 and would have celebrated 54 years of marriage this February 7th.
After his military service, Bill and Tina moved to Houston. Bill graduated from the University of Houston with a Bachelor of Business Administration and worked as a Financial Analyst and Controller throughout his career. He worked mostly in the trucking and food industries including Minute Maid.
Bill enjoyed playing golf and cheering on his favorite college football teams. He was a loyal football fan of his alma mater, the University of Houston Cougars and both his children’s alma mater, the University of Texas Longhorns. He was also an avid supporter of Houston Texans football, Houston Rockets basketball, and Houston Astros baseball.
Bill was preceded in death by his parents; his brothers, Douglas Rice and Lowell Rice; and his sisters, Laverne Rice, Margie Sylvene Rice Yarborough, Barbara Rice Coker, and Dianne Rice Cunningham.
A Memorial Service with Military Honors was held, February 6, 2024 at the Houston National Cemetery in Texas.
Bill is survived by his wife, Christine (Tina) Marie Kahn Rice, whom he was married to for 53 years; his daughter, Stephanie Melissa (Lisa) Rice Perez; and son, Christopher Russell (Rus) Rice. He was a proud grandpa to his granddaughter, Sierra Marie Perez and his grandson, Gabriel Anthony Perez. “Grandpa Bill” enjoyed watching Sierra and Gabriel grow up into two beautiful, sweet and steadfast souls. He is also survived by his brother, Gerald Rice (Pat) of Clinton, SC and his sister, Sandra Rice Wenzl of Gilbert, AZ.
William (Bill) Elbert Rice will be remembered as a beloved husband, dad, and grandpa, and will forever remain in our hearts.
Gray Funeral Home of Clinton is sharing this obituary as a courtesy to the Rice family.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of William (Bill) Elbert Rice, please visit our flower store.
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