William Dean Rice, Sr.

William “Bill” Dean Rice, Sr., 87, of 391 Pine Ridge Rd., Blountville, TN, passed away Sunday afternoon, January 8, 2023, at Johnson City Medical Center.  

He was born May 18, 1935, in Emory, VA, to the late Charles Judson & Elizabeth Taylor Rice. Bill was raised in Emory, VA where he graduated from Meadowview High School in 1955.  

Bill and Nancy were married on the 1st of January 1956 and had 59 years together (the church was packed by the way). Bill then returned to Germany to finish his term of duty. He later accepted a job with Raytheon Defense in Bristol, TN as a lathe operator where he worked for over 35 years. He and Nancy then moved to Bluff City, TN, buying the house on Pine Ridge Road. 

He was a lifelong member of Masonic Zollicoffer Lodge #444. Bill had a passion for fishing and woodworking. 

In addition to his parents, Bill was preceded in death by his wife of 59 years, Nancy Lee Browning Rice, and daughter-in-law, Tammy Rice. 

He is survived by 4 children, Debra Hope Rice Fishburn & spouse Paul, William Dean Rice, Jr & spouse Jennifer, Lynda Rice Phifer, and Cecil Judson Rice; 2 sisters, June Rice Brown and Ann Rice Carter; a sister-in-law, Chappie Rice; a nephew, David Lee Browning, a niece-in-law, Lisa Mutter Browning; 12 grandchildren and 9 great-grandchildren. 

The family will receive friends Saturday, January 21, 2023, from 5:00 pm-7:00 pm at Snyder’s Memorial. 

In lieu of flowers, the family request donations to be made to the Wounded Warrior Project at www.woundedwarriorproject.org. 

Snyder’s Memorial Gardens is honored to serve the family of Mr. William “Bill” Dean Rice, Sr. 

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