Fourth Generation

47. William Henry RICE Sr. was born on 4 February 1933 in Wilton Township, Monroe County, WI. He died on 5 March 2021 at the age of 88 in Reedsburg Township, Sauk County, WI. Obituary Notes: "William Henry Rice Sr, 88 years of age, passed away at his daughter’s home outside of Reedsburg, WI. on Friday March 5th. He was born to Irene (Berendes) and Raymond J. Rice on February 4th, 1933 on the Rice family farm three miles north of Wilton.

Bill graduated from Wilton High School in 1951. He joined the U.S. Navy and served aboard a destroyer during the Korean War. After being discharged he returned to Wilton. Bill drove truck for Bid Tillman and met Linda G. Slater who was a secretary at Tillman's. They were married in 1956. They rented farms in Tomah and Ontario before buying the family farm in 1963. They had six children. Linda passed away in 1977 following a short illness.

In 1978, Bill married Marilyn Neil. Rita and her two children joined the family. They were dairy farmers and bred Belgium draft horses. After the eight children had left home, they ran a Bed and Breakfast for 12 years. In 2012 Rita and Bill retired and sold the family farm and moved to Tomah. Rita passed away in 2015.

Bill was a lifelong member of St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, an avid hunter belonging to the Rod & Gun Club and a member of Hansen-Stark-Leith-Paeth American Legion. He loved telling stories and teasing children.
Bill was preceded in life’s journey by two sons, Gary Stokely and Patrick Rice, his brothers Mike, Bob, sister Betty Wills, a grandson, Wesley Rice and a great granddaughter, Sophie.

He is survived by his children Mark (Gayle) Rice of Holland, MI.; Cheryl (Steven) Fry of Reedsburg, WI.; Barbara (Gene) Bloom of Tomah, WI.; Joyce (Duane) Dritlein of Chicago, IL; William Rice Jr. of IL. and Jodie (Jim) Miller of Tomah, WI. He is further survived by 25 grandchildren, 42 great grandchildren, and a brother, Richard “Dick” Rice.

A Memorial Mass of Christian Burial will be held Saturday, March 13, 2021, 11:00 A.M. at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, 504 Enderby St. Wilton. Father John Ofori-Domah will officiate. Burial will be at a later date. Military honors by the Hanson-Stark-Leith-Paeth American Legion Post#508.
Relatives and friends are invited to call on Saturday from 9:30 A.M. until the time of the service."

William Henry RICE Sr. and Linda Gale SLATER were married in 1956. Linda Gale SLATER, daughter of Gaylord Leroy SLATER and Joyce Angeline Gladys MITCHELL, was born on 8 June 1937 in Monroe County, WI. She died in 1977 at the age of 40.

William Henry RICE Sr. and Linda Gale SLATER had the following children:

82	i.	Patrick RICE died before March 2021.
83	ii.	Mark RICE was born (date unknown).
+84	iii.	Barbara "Barb" RICE.
85	iv.	Cheryl RICE was born (date unknown).
86	v.	Joyce RICE was born (date unknown).
87	vi.	William RICE Jr. was born (date unknown).
88	vii.	Jodie RICE was born (date unknown).

William Henry RICE Sr. and Marilyn "Rita" NEIL were married in 1978. Marilyn "Rita" NEIL died in 2015.