Willard Hampton Rice, Jr.

Posted on July 6, 2025

Willard Hampton Rice, Jr., 84, of Sandusky, passed away Thursday, July 3, 2025, at Firelands Health, Sandusky, OH.

He was born on July 29, 1940, in Buckhannon, WV to the late Willard and Thelma (Terry) Rice Sr.

He was a retired employee of Ford Motor Company in Lorain, OH.

Willard loved shooting matches, hunting, fishing, tending to his garden and flower beds, his dogs, and most of all spending time with his family and grandchildren.

He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Rosalie (Gould) Rice; children, Debbie Haddix, Willard “Chuck” (Mary) Rice, and Brad (Melanie) Rice; grandchildren, Timothy Haddix, Ashley Rice, Brandon Rice, Taylor Rice, Cheyanne Rice, Bailey Rice, Madeline (Rice) Darmanin, and Cameron Rice; great-grandchildren, Liam, Ivy, Luca, Zane, and Luci; siblings, Alvin “Ford” (Joann) Rice, Rick (Connie) Rice, Dorothy Taylor, Donna Hudson, Linda (Robert) Kline, Mary Robinson, Jerri (Craig) Zickefoose, and Danny (Trish) Gould; and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; a son, Timothy Rice; and sisters, Connie, Lois, and Patricia.

Friends may call on Monday, July 7, 2025, from 5-7 P.M. at Toft Funeral Home & Crematory, 2001 Columbus Ave., Sandusky, OH 44870.

Friends will be received Wednesday, July 9, 2025, from 11 AM to 1 PM at Poling-St. Clair Funeral Home.

A funeral service will be held at 1 PM Wednesday at the funeral home. Burial will follow in the Hampton Cemetery in Hampton, WV.

Online condolences may be made to the family at www.toftfuneralhome.com or www.polingstclair.com.

Toft Funeral Home & Crematory and Poling-St. Clair Funeral Home are in charge of arrangements.

My Buckhannon publishes obituaries free of charge as a courtesy to the family. Readers can support our publication by becoming a premium member.

Share this obituary:

Local Businesses

Upshur County Commission partners with development authority, eyes $550k in grants for proposed rec hub

Monica Zalaznik
July 6, 2025

The Upshur County Commission partnered with the Development Authority and authorized applications for $550,000 in grants, as well as a joint property transfer, to support construction of the proposed John C. Allen Regional Hub recreation complex.

High Point Construction takes over lead in men’s golf league

Duane Carpenter
July 6, 2025

High Point Construction took the top spot in the Buckhannon Country Club Bob Cupp Memorial Golf League after defeating Sam’s Pizza, while Highland Landscaping and Feola’s Flowers tied for second place.

Task force arrests three for selling Delta 8 to people under age 21, issues four additional warrants

News Release
July 6, 2025

After a year-long investigation, the Mountain Region Drug and Violent Crime Task Force arrested multiple individuals and issued warrants in Upshur County for allegedly selling Delta 8 THC products to individuals under 21.

ATV crash kills 65-year-old woman in Upshur County

News Release
July 6, 2025

Patricia L. Campbell, 65, of Ohio, died after being ejected from an ATV rollover crash in Upshur County on July 4; the investigation continues.

Buckhannon Banter: Get the local lowdown for July 2, 2025

My Buckhannon
July 2, 2025

This week in Buckhannon, local organizations plan events and clinics — including a big July 4th celebration — and several community initiatives aim to engage residents of all ages.

Emergency agencies stress need for coordinated incident plans during large events with road closures

Monica Zalaznik
July 2, 2025

Emergency officials emphasized the need for incident action plans and coordination with public safety agencies for large events that close major streets, citing upcoming car shows and other street-closure events to ensure fast, safe emergency responses.

B-U now in Class AAAA in all sports; moved to new South Region after WVSSAC restructuring

Duane Carpenter
July 2, 2025

Buckhannon-Upshur High School will compete in Class AAAA — the highest division — for all sports and has been moved to the new South Region under a two-year realignment by the West Virginia Secondary School Activities Commission.

Stockert Youth and Community Center Board Meeting Agenda: July 3, 2025

My Buckhannon
July 2, 2025

The Stockert Youth and Community Center Board will meet July 3, 2025, with an agenda set to discuss organizational matters and upcoming events.

Buckhannon Waste Board Agenda: July 3, 2025

My Buckhannon
July 2, 2025

The City of Buckhannon Waste Collection Board has released the agenda for its upcoming meeting on July 3, 2025.

Woman arrested on six felony charges after allegedly shooting at a man in Upshur County

Katie Kuba
July 1, 2025

Jocelyn M. Krum, 28, of Charleston, was arrested on six felony charges after allegedly entering a Mt. Lebanon Road residence in Upshur County with a rifle and shooting at a man before fleeing the scene.

Buckhannon man sentenced to 11 to 21 years for Bailey Ridge Road shootout

Katie Kuba
July 1, 2025

Austin W. Arbogast, 26, was sentenced to 11 to 21 years in prison after pleading guilty to four felony charges stemming from a March 2024 shootout on Bailey Ridge Road while attempting to retrieve his child.

Mountain East Conference extends invitation to Shawnee State University

News Release
July 1, 2025

The Mountain East Conference has approved Shawnee State University as its 12th full-time member, with the school set to join in 2026 pending NCAA Division II acceptance and expanding league competition in 19 sports.