William R. Rice

05/11/2004

William R. Rice, 70, of 1635 Hewins St., Ashley Falls, died yesterday at Berkshire Medical Center in Pittsfield. Born in Sheffield on Dec. 28, 1933, son of Albert and Abbie Golden Rice, he attended schools there. An Army veteran of the Korean War, he served with the 11th Airborne Division and received several decorations, including the Combat Infantryman's Badge. Mr. Rice was employed by Pfizer Inc. in Canaan, Conn., as a crusher-machine operator from 1959 until 1990. In his younger years, he was a semipro boxer. He was a member of the American Legion in Millerton, N.Y., and James A. Modolo VFW Post 8349 in Great Barrington. He enjoyed playing cards, horse racing and dogs. He and his wife, the former Jane Franklin, were married in Ashley Falls on June 14, 1959. Besides his wife, he leaves a son, William F. Rice of Ashley Falls; two daughters, Kim Rice of Stockbridge and Terry Montgomery of Canaan; a brother, Allen Rice of Ashley Falls; a sister, Barbara Rice of Sheffield, and a grandson. FUNERAL NOTICE -- A celebration of the life of William R. Rice, who died Tuesday, May 11, 2004, will be held Saturday, May 15, with the family receiving friends from 2 to 4 at BIRCHES-ROY FUNERAL HOME. Expressions of sympathy in Mr. Rice's memory may be made to the Southern Berkshire Volunteer Ambulance Squad in care of the funeral home, 33 South St., Great Barrington, MA 01230. He leaves his grandson, Cory William Rice.

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