William E. Rice, 82, of Elkhart, died Saturday, December 9, 2023, at Hubbard Hill Estates, with his wife at his side.

He was born in Martinsville, IN, to J.C. and Mary Louise (Drescher) Rice, the fourth of four sons. He graduated from Elkhart High School in 1959 and Purdue University in 1963. He spent 4 years in the National Guard. Bill Spent most of his working career in the RV manufacturing industry as an accountant and controller. He retired in 2014.

Bill is survived by his wife Betty (Vance), to whom he was married in 1964. They have 3 sons. Brad (Amber), Brownsburg. IN, Todd (Elizabeth), Nashville, TN, and Kevin (fiancé Jen) Minot. Maine. In addition, he has four grandsons, Caleb, Isaac, Sawyer, and Simon Rice. Bill is survived by one brother: Thomas E. Lafayette, IN. He was preceded in death by his parents and two brothers, Joseph R and David L and three sisters-in-law, Bonnie Rice, Barbara Rice, and Virginia Littlepage. He was a member of First Presbyterian Church of Elkhart, where he served as an Elder, a Trustee, and on the Foundation Board.

Bill loved his gardening! Neither his garden nor his flower beds had even one weed in them. He loved to share the produce he grew with neighbors and friends. Bill enjoyed playing bridge, playing golf, reading, doing jigsaw puzzles, and attending many Broadway musicals. He enjoyed many hours of watching all school activities of his sons as well as grandsons.

A visitation for William will be at Hartzler-Gutermuth-Inman Funeral Home, 403 West Franklin Street, Elkhart, IN 46516 from 5:00-8:00 PM on Sunday, December 17th. There will also be one hour of visitation before the funeral at the church.

The funeral will be held at First Presbyterian Church, 200 East Beardsley Avenue, Elkhart, IN 46516 on Monday, December 18th, at 12:30 PM. Bill will be cremated, and burial will be in Rice Cemetery at a later date.

Donations are requested in lieu of flowers and may be made to the Elkhart County Community Foundation, P.O. Box 2932, Elkhart, IN 46515 for the J.C. and Mary Louise Rice Scholarship or First Presbyterian Church Foundation, 200 E. Beardsley Ave., Elkhart, IN 46516.

First Presbyterian Church Foundation
200 E. Beardsley Avenue, Elkhart IN 46514

Elkhart County Community Foundation for the J.C. and Mary Louise Rice Scholarship
P. O. Box 2932, Elkhart IN 46515