William (Bill) Curtis Rice, age 78, passed away peacefully on September 5, 2023.
Bill was born to Orville and Jessie Rice in Tennerton, WV on August 4, 1945. He grew up on family farms in Eden and Kanawha Head, WV where he enjoyed hunting and fishing with family and friends, as well as working at the local sawmill. Bill graduated as a salutatorian from Buckhannon-Upshur High School in Buckhannon, WV in 1963.
Upon graduation from Fairmont University in 1967, he moved to Charleston, WV to work for C&P Telephone Company (later known as Bell Atlantic and now Verizon), where he met his wife of 45 years, Pamela Jo (Hash) Rice. His career as an Engineering Manager with the telephone company brought him to Gainesville, VA, where he lived with his wife and children for nearly 25 years. Upon retirement from Verizon, Bill and Pam built a home on Lake Isaac in Gore, VA where they delighted in spending many beautiful afternoons boating and fishing on the lake with their children, grandchildren, neighbors, and friends.
Bill enjoyed a post-retirement career as a tax accountant with H&R Block and Advanced Tax Solutions in Winchester, VA. In March 2023, he moved to the Wiley Christian Retirement Community in Marlton, NJ. He was welcomed into the loving community at Wiley where he enjoyed the fellowship of many new friends and neighbors.
Bill was a member of the St. Andrew Presbyterian Church in Pinch, WV. He attended and served at the Bethel United Methodist Church in Gore, VA.
Bill was a skilled hunter, gardener, mechanic, and carpenter. He loved the outdoors and was especially fond of boating and crabbing. He loved to sing and dance, and he had a knack for reciting literature and poetry.
Bill is survived by a son: Jesse A. Rice (Kelli) of Leesburg, VA; a daughter: Courtney R. Gager (Kyle) of Tabernacle, NJ; two sisters: Joan Tenney (Donald) of Buckhannon, WV and Sylvia Spencer (Paul) of Kanawha Head, WV; four grandchildren: Olivia M. Rice, Gracie A. Rice, Esther J. Gager and Jesse H. Gager; and two foster grandchildren. He is preceded in death by his wife: Pamela J. Rice and two sons: William C. Rice, II and Aaron W. Rice. He is also survived by a warm extended family including many nieces, nephews, and cousins whom he dearly loved.
Friends will be received Saturday, September 16, 2023, from 10 AM to 11 AM at the Mount Pleasant Baptist Church (Route 20 South) in Arlington, WV. A funeral service will be held 11 AM at the church with Pastor Michael Wamsley officiating. Burial will follow in the Rice Family Cemetery in Eden, WV. The family would like to invite friends to the Arlington Community Building for refreshments and fellowship after the graveside services.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Backpack Ministry, 2755 Northwestern Pike, Winchester, VA 22603 or Amazing Grace Food Pantry, PO Box 100, Capon Bridge, WV 26711.
Online condolences may be made to the family at www.polingstclair.com. Poling-St. Clair Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.
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