Paul Jr. Rice

Leicester William Paul Rice, Jr., 83, of 442 Dix Creek #1, passed away on Sunday, December 27, 2015 at the St Joseph Campus of Mission Hospitals. A lifelong resident of Buncombe County, he retired from Duke Energy where he served as Custodian for seven years, was an Antique Collector and was a loving and devoted husband, father and father-in-law. Mr. Rice was a son of the late William Paul Rice and Dixie Lou Peek Rice and was also preceded in death by his daughter, Verina Pauline Rice, brother, Walter Rice and sister, Dell Clowers. Surviving are his wife whom he married December 26, 1953, Irene B. Rice of the home; children, Paul David Rice (Linda) of Leicester, James Jim William Rice (Lydia) and Darlene Rice Hamlin all of Asheville; grandchildren, Mitzi Imig of Johnson City, TN and James Miguel Rice of Asheville; great grandchildren, Tre Horton and Alex Hensley; sister, Billie Gail Atwell of Black Mountain and brother, John Rice of Fairview and several nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be held at 11 AM Thursday, December 31, 2015 in the chapel of Anders-Rice Funeral Home with Rev. Mark Lewis officiating. Burial will follow in New Salem Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 10 to 10:45 AM Thursday prior to services at the funeral home.