Billy Dean Rice was born in the small farming community of Rhea, Oklahoma on June 22, 1926, the only child of Harry and Bonnie Rice. He passed away on September 4, 2011 in Lubbock, Texas.

He accepted Jesus as his savior as a young man. On May 28, 1950 he married Okla Jean Sheffield. Okie took excellent care of Bill for 61 years. They have been loving parents to their daughter Carla and her husband Dr. Jay Pennington, and their son Bruce and his wife Lisa Rice. Their grandchildren, Rachel and David Perez, Rebecca and Dr. Mikel Hubanks, David and Nikye Pennington, and Lauren Pennington have enjoyed fun times and made lots of memories around both Bill's home at Rhea and his home in Lubbock, Texas. He recently spent a few days with his great-grandchildren, Jonathan and Anna Perez. He was greatly anticipating the November arrival of his third great-grandchild.

Bill had many varied interests. He was the third generation owner, farmer and rancher of the family homestead at Rhea. One of his prized possessions was his fully restored 1928 Model A, a car that had belonged to his father. He always had a good story to share with a special group of men in Lubbock known as the ROMEO club. The topics covered a wide range including hunting, fishing, genealogy, gardening, politics, gas and oil production, World War II and stories about growing up at Rhea. Keeping in touch with extended family members was very important to him as well.

He was proud to serve in the Army Air Corp during World War II. After the war, he graduated from Oklahoma Baptist University in May 1950. He always enjoyed class reunions with his fellow Bisons. Bill and Okie married that weekend and made their first home in Shawnee, Oklahoma where he operated a carpet store. They moved to Lubbock, Texas in 1962 for his job as a pharmaceutical representative. Later he taught school and retired from teaching in 1980. He spent the remainder of his years splitting his time between Lubbock and Rhea.

Those who knew and loved Bill all agree that there will never be another one like him.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Rhea Cemetery Fund or the Veterans Memorial Fund of Leedey, Oklahoma. Either of those can be mailed to Shaw Funeral Home, P.O. Box 276, Vici, OK 73859. In Lubbock, donations may be made to Meals on Wheels, 2304 34th Street, Lubbock, TX 79411.