William Peter Rice, passed away on March 20, 2021 with his high school sweetheart and beloved wife of 39 years, Deborah Kay Johnson, by his side.
Bill was blessed with five children, Angela (Joseph) Stair of North Carolina, Adam (Keturah) Rice of Virginia, Bethany (Brian) Davis of Ohio, Candace (Nickhale) Hoban of Linden, and Ericka (James) Tucker of Arizona. He grew up in Milpitas, California and was the seventh child of Laddie Dean Rice and Carol Lorraine Greene’s ten children.
Bill served in the Naval Reserves from 1984-1990. In 1987 Bill and Debbie moved to Manteca to raise their family. Bill worked as a driver during his adult life, and he would say that ultimately, he landed his dream job driving at Yosemite National Park. Bill was by all measures a family-centered man. His children share many loving memories of camping trips, Giants’ baseball, road trips to visit family, and Christmas caroling to friends.
Bill was a lifetime member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. His life embodied a spirit of willingness to serve wherever he was needed. He believed that “When ye are in the service of your fellow beings ye are only in the service of your God.” (Mosiah 2:17) Over the years, he sang in the choir and served in many capacities in The Church. He especially treasured his time serving as a cook at girl’s camp and as an ordinance worker in the Oakland Temple for ten years.
He leaves behind a beautiful legacy that includes 22 grandchildren who call him Poppi. Poppi was an avid supporter of Relay for Life for many years.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a memorial donation to the American Cancer Society.
P.L. Fry & Son Funeral Home is honored to serve the Rice family. Due to Covid-19, services are private, for details please contact a member of the family. An online guestbook is available for condolences at www.plfryandson.com.
Manteca (Calif.) Bulletin
Bill was blessed with five children, Angela (Joseph) Stair of North Carolina, Adam (Keturah) Rice of Virginia, Bethany (Brian) Davis of Ohio, Candace (Nickhale) Hoban of Linden, and Ericka (James) Tucker of Arizona. He grew up in Milpitas, California and was the seventh child of Laddie Dean Rice and Carol Lorraine Greene’s ten children.
Bill served in the Naval Reserves from 1984-1990. In 1987 Bill and Debbie moved to Manteca to raise their family. Bill worked as a driver during his adult life, and he would say that ultimately, he landed his dream job driving at Yosemite National Park. Bill was by all measures a family-centered man. His children share many loving memories of camping trips, Giants’ baseball, road trips to visit family, and Christmas caroling to friends.
Bill was a lifetime member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. His life embodied a spirit of willingness to serve wherever he was needed. He believed that “When ye are in the service of your fellow beings ye are only in the service of your God.” (Mosiah 2:17) Over the years, he sang in the choir and served in many capacities in The Church. He especially treasured his time serving as a cook at girl’s camp and as an ordinance worker in the Oakland Temple for ten years.
He leaves behind a beautiful legacy that includes 22 grandchildren who call him Poppi. Poppi was an avid supporter of Relay for Life for many years.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a memorial donation to the American Cancer Society.
P.L. Fry & Son Funeral Home is honored to serve the Rice family. Due to Covid-19, services are private, for details please contact a member of the family. An online guestbook is available for condolences at www.plfryandson.com.
Manteca (Calif.) Bulletin
Friday, March 26, 2021
