William “Bill” Eugene Rice of rural Baldwin passed away Monday, November 14, 2022, at Morningstar Care Home, Baldwin City.
Family will receive friends, Monday, November 21, 2022, from 5:00 to 7:00 pm at Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home, 601 Indiana St, Lawrence. Graveside services will be held Tuesday, November 22, 2022, at 10:30 am at Memorial Park Cemetery, Lawrence. Arrangements provided by Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home.
Bill was born in Lawrence on March 4, 1927, to William M. and Helen C. Jahns Rice. He was a member of Douglas County 4-H and Lawrence FFA, and graduated from Liberty Memorial High School in 1944.
Bill married Lucille I. Parker on April 25, 1948. Bill and Lucille enjoyed farming, dairying, and ranching, side by side on the same farm in rural Douglas County for their entire married life. Bill also loved breeding and raising horses and ponies. Bill valued opportunities to give back to his community by serving on local boards of directors: School Board, Douglas County Fair, Douglas County Farm Bureau, Lawrence Farmers Co-op and Farmland Industries.
Survivors include his wife of 74 years, Lucille. Four children: Ronald E. (wife Trudy) Rice, Lawrence; Stephen J. (wife Deborah) Rice, Smithville, MO; Jane C. (husband Robin) Edmonds, Berryton; and Irene L. Houk, Oskaloosa. Nine grandchildren: Stephanie (husband Jason) Hyder, Ozark, MO; Rustin (wife Valerie) Rice, Smithville, MO; Casey (wife Theresa) Rice, Smithville, MO; Brandie (husband Bill) Disberger, Wamego; Carrie Edmonds, Wamego; Ryan (wife Renee) Edmonds, Lecompton; Brad (wife Tasha) Rice, Baldwin; Jesse (wife Shelby) Houk, Oskaloosa; Joel (wife Kari) Houk, Oskaloosa; and fifteen great-grandchildren. A brother, James F. Rice, Texarkana, TX and many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
Bill is preceded in death: by his parents; son-in-law, Allen Houk; brother-in-law, Warren Parker; and sister-in-law, Ann Parker.
Memorial contributions may be given to the Douglas County 4-H Foundation or Gentiva Hospice, sent in care of Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home, PO Box 1260, Lawrence, KS 66044.
