William A. “Willie” Rice, 61, of Morrison, IL, died Saturday, September 24, 2016, at CGH Medical Center in Sterling, IL.
Willie was born June 18, 1955, in Morrison, to William C. and Ardythe A. (James) Rice. He was educated in the Clystic Grade School of rural Whiteside County and the Morrison Junior High School; he was a graduate of Morrison High School. He married Diana Null on March 16, 1973, in Morrison. Willie was a 20 year veteran of the U. S. Air Force. He enjoyed woodworking, hunting, and fishing. He was an athlete and played for the Air Force Men’s Softball Team. He also coached various youth sports for his children and grandchildren.
Survivors include his mother, Ardythe Rice of Morrison; two daughters, Jessi (fiancé Nate King) Waddell of Morrison, and Michelle Chatman of Fayetteville, NC; one son, William “Tad” (Chastidy) Rice of Fayetteville; four grandchildren, Alleigh and Grant Rice, Damien Winstead, and Mia Waddell.
He was preceded in death by his father, Bill Rice, and one sister, Jamie Todd.
GRAVESIDE SERVICE: 11:00 a.m., Thursday, September 29, 2016, at Heaton Cemetery in Morrison, IL
OFFICIATING: Mr. Ken Renkes
VISITATION: 6:00 to 8:00 p.m., Wednesday, September 28, 2016, at the Morrison Chapel of the Bosma-Renkes Funeral Home
INTERMENT: Heaton Cemetery, Morrison IL
MEMORIAL: A memorial to the Fisher House Foundation has been established.