William L. Rice Sr.

William L. Rice, Sr. 88, a Roseville resident for 56 years, passed away suddenly at home on February 14, 2014. Mr. Rice was born in Detroit, Michigan on August 27, 1925 to Russel and Gladys Rice (nee Lampkin). The youngest of four children “Bill” was an exceptional swimmer. He graduated from Cass Technological High School in Detroit and attended Wayne State University graduating with a BS in Engineering. Bill was a WW II Army Veteran. He met and married Bertha after college. Together they raised five children in Roseville. Mr. Rice worked for General Motors at the Tech Center in Warren from college until his retirement in 1995. He loved to ride his motorcycle, especially riding to work. He thoroughly enjoyed his pool in his backyard and will be sadly missed by the many squirrels he fed in his neighborhood. Bill devoutly followed his Detroit Lions and Red Wings. When he wasn’t watching sports, he just enjoyed watching T.V. particularly movies. Euchre was “his game” and he was “very, very good”, his family said. He attained “Life Member” status of Free & Accepted Masons Roseville Lodge #522 enjoying his time there over 49 years. “He gave Degree Lectures, was a beloved brother and will be missed”, a lodge member stated.

Mr. Rice is survived by his children, Patrick (Dolly) Rice, Cynthia (Fred) Kornack, Bill (Norma) Rice, and Michael (Regina) Rice; daughter-in-law, Irene Rice; 14 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren. Mr. Rice was pre-deceased by his wife Bertha in 1999, and son Clinton in 2008. The funeral will be at 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, February 19, 2014 at Kaul Funeral Home 27830 Gratiot, Roseville. Friends may visit Tuesday from 3:00 – 9:00 p.m. An F.&A.M. service will be held at 7:00 p.m. Tuesday evening. Private burial will be in the Masonic II section at Cadillac Memorial Gardens, East. Please share a memory with the family at Bill’s on-line guestbook.