William (Bill) Eugene Rice, Sr. went to be with our Heavenly Father on Monday, June 14, 2021 at the age of 89 at his home in Tomball, Texas.  He was born August 5, 1931, in Yoakum, TX.  Bill was preceded in death by his wife Elizabeth Marie Rice, parents, Eugene Herman Rice and Deborah Laurette Owen Rice, brother, Meeks Owen Rice, two sisters, Marion Davis and Virginia Person, and grandson, Christian Gace.

Bill is survived by his sisters, Frances Lilliquist and Helen Turner and husband, Calvin; brother John Rice and wife Joan; Brother-in-law Lee Roy Rice and wife Linda; sons William E. Rice, Jr. and wife Jill, Neal Rice and wife Cathy, Garner Rice and wife Minnie; daughters Suzanne Strain and husband Todd, and Sharon Gace and husband Troy; grandchildren Brittney Puller and husband Ethan, Ryan Sizemore and wife Laura, Tamitha Rice, Jean Quintens and husband Todd, Destini Rice, Celise Collie and husband Matthew, John Rice and wife Laine, Hunter Odom and wife Xana, Hannah Washburn and husband Caleb, Joy Gace, Madison Strain, Rylee Davis and husband Riley, Seth Gace, and Emma Strain; great grandchildren Layla Quintens, Franny and Aiden Puller, and Waylon Washburn. There are also many nieces and nephews that he loved dearly.

Bill was born and raised in Yoakum, TX where he grew up alongside his six siblings, Mickey, T-Heart, Frances, Ginny, Helen, and Johnny, working on the family's farm.  He graduated from Yoakum High School in 1948.  After high school, Bill went to business school, served in the Korean War for the US Army, and then became a true "Longhorn" at the University of Texas in Austin.

As he went through life, Bill most enjoyed learning, seeking knowledge in every school he attended and every job he worked.  Bill had experience in a variety of professions—working for the railroad, being an electrician, driving an ambulance, working at a funeral home, delivering newspapers, building houses, inspecting houses, teaching classes at several colleges, being an ordained minister and many other "jobs" in between.  He used his teaching talents to lead Boy Scouts for many years with his boys.  And Bill was a member of Gideon International, spreading the message of God's love.  After retiring from FHA/HUD, Bill began his own business, Construction Analysts and Associates, where he made a name for himself as an expert real estate and construction inspector.

When Bill met Elizabeth (Liz) Rice, they were destined to be together.  Bill proposed to Liz on their first date.  They were married a few short months after on September 13, 1957.  Together, they had 5 children, Bill, Jr., Neal, Garner, Suzanne, and Sharon.  After living in Austin and his hometown of Yoakum, he and Liz moved to the Houston area to pursue his building career.  Bill built the house that he was so very proud of on Pitcairn Drive in Tomball, Tx.  This house was called home for him for 54 years.

Bill came to Christ through baptism when he was 6 years old at a revival at the Baptist Church in Yoakum.  He held on to his faith in Jesus ever since this time.  God's Word was always Bill's reference manual.

Bill was an active member of North Oaks Baptist Church in Spring, TX.  NOBC was his church family, his brothers and sisters in Christ.  He enjoyed being in the church choir, especially if he got to sing a solo.  He looked forward to his men's Bible study group and his Sunday School class every week.

Bill was known for his eye for detail and his storytelling ability.  He could make something as simple as a nail seem important and interesting.  But he also had an artistic side and a little bit eccentric.  He wrote poetry and short stories that he loved to share with his family.  Bill will be remembered for his intelligence and wit, his heart of emotion, and his compassion and willingness to help others.  He will be deeply missed by his family, friends and all that knew him.  He would want each of you to know that no matter your perspective, he loved you each in his own way.