William Rice

William Clayton Rice, age 88, of Berry, died Aug. 25, 2011, at Hospice of West Alabama. Graveside services will be 2 p.m. Sunday at Boone Cemetery with Rev. Terrell Jones and Rev. Jerry Montgomery officiating and Magnolia Chapel Funeral Home North directing. Visitation will be tonight from 6 to 8 p.m. at the funeral home. He was preceded in death by his parents, Tollie and Lucy Rice; his wife, Marjoe H. Rice; his son, Eddy Rice; and his brothers, Rayburn, Clint, Junior, and Billy Ray Rice. Survivors include his daughter, Jane Harless (Paul) of Berry; his sons, Wayne Rice (Lindie) and Bill Rice (Sheila), all of Northport; his sister, Betty Wheelas (Clarence) of Northport; his brothers, Raiford Rice (Mary), Aaron Rice (June), and Ralph Rice (Sarah); his sisters-in-law, Ann Rice, Rachel Rice, and Nell Rice; his grandchildren, Karla Gant (Greg), Carrie Barger (Jim), Clay Rice (Amanda), Kayla Rice, Thad Harless (Rachel), and Jodie Harless; and his great-grandchildren, Claire Gant, Emma and Lily Barger, Clayton Rice, Eden Harless, and Krishna Harless. Clayton was a World War II veteran, a trustee at Northside High School, and a retiree of Gulf States Paper. "Poppa" was a devoted husband and caretaker to Nanny. He was a loving husband, father, and grandfather. His family was important to him. He was also a friend to all he met. "Poppa" will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved him. Pallbearers will be Clay Rice, Greg Gant, Jim Barger, Thad Harless, Jason West, Jarrod West, Danny Smith, Jeff Rice, and Jerry Doss. Honorary pallbearers are Hospice of West Alabama, TSICU Unit at DCH, friends and neighbors of the Northside community, and former Gulf States employees. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Hospice of West Alabama or to a favorite church or charity.