William "Bill" Henry Rice Jr.

William (Bill) Henry Rice, Jr. 83, passed away peacefully on November 30, 2023 at Nottingham Village Nursing Home, Northumberland. He was born March 24, 1940 in Catawissa, a son of the late William Henry Rice Sr., and Harriet M. (Huffman) Rice. He is preceded in death by his wife Virgnia Lee (Roberts) Rice, his son William Charles Rice, and his daughter Roberta Ann Pickering. He is survived by his brother Carl Rice, son-in-law Robert Pickering, and granddaughter Jiali Pickering.

Bill was a 1958 graduate of Catawissa High School and attended Bloomsburg State Teachers College, now Bloomsburg University, where he earned a degree in English Literature with a Certificate of Education, graduating in 1962. After graduation, he taught high school English at Milton Area School District for a few years before being hired at Bloomsburg Area School District, where he taught for at least 30 years. He retired from teaching in 1995.

One of Bill’s greatest joys in life was playing bass drum. He played in the Catawissa Military Band for at least 50 years, and he also played in the Danville Legion Band. He became a member of the Catawissa Military Band as a boy, pulling the bass drum in parades.

Bill was also very active in various masonic bodies. He was a 59 year member of Elysburg Lodge 349, where he served as Worshipful Master several times and a 57 year member of the Williamsport Scottish Rite, where he was also a 33rd degree member.  He was a Past District Deputy Grand Master for District 35, serving from December 1995 to December 2000. He was a member of Commandery 77, Shamokin where was a Past Eminent Commander. He was a member of Chapter Berwick where he was a past Most Excellent High Priest. He was also a member of Council Shamokin where he served as Thrice Illustrious Master, and Past Governor of the Order of the Purple Cross and a Past Sovereign Commander of the Red Cross of Constantine.

Bill will be missed by many for his wisdom and wit. He enjoyed nothing more than spending time with family, friends, and his masonic brothers. He always had a good joke to tell and was well known for his sarcasm.

Services will be held Wednesday December 6, 2023 at 1:00 pm at Christ United Lutheran Church, 116 Church Street, Catawissa. Burial will follow at Hillside Cemetery. The family will welcome guests prior to the service beginning at 12 pm. A masonic service will precede the regular service.

Family and friends may send online condolences to allenrhornefuneralhome.com. The family is being assisted by Allen R. Horne Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Catawissa.

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