Willard C. Rice

Asheville Willard Calvin Rice, 90, went to be with the Lord on Thursday, December 18, 2014 at his home. A native of Madison County, he had resided in Buncombe County most of his life and was Sales Manager at Skyland Oldsmobile for 21 years and a Real Estate Agent for Jenkins Real Estate. He was a member and Past Master of Vance Masonic Lodge #293 and was former President of the Big Joe Wilson Bear Club. Mr. Rice was the oldest living member of Pleasant Hill Baptist Church of which he had been a member for over 80 years and was a WWII Veteran having served in the US Marine Corps. Mr. Rice was the son of the late Kelly Shepard Rice and Elda Greene Rice. He was also preceded in death by his first wife, Jessie Gardner Rice who died November 14, 1977; two brothers and one sister. Surviving are his wife whom he married July 3, 1982, Grace Bailey Rice of the home; son, Danny Lee Rice and wife Sandra of Asheville; step son, Dale Ray Williams of Kings Mountain; grandchildren, Jeff and wife, Amber, Robin and husband, Keith, Carmen and Dalton Williams; great grandchildren, Alex and wife, Brittany, Makenzie and Brayden and great-great granddaughter, Adalynn. Funeral services will be held at 2:30 PM Sunday, December 21, 2014 at Pleasant Hill Baptist Church with Rev. Keith Watkins officiating. Burial will follow in Ashelawn Gardens of Memory with Military Honors conducted by the US Marine Corps and Masonic Rites by Vance Masonic Lodge #293. The Lodge will open at 1 PM. The family will receive friends from 1 to 2:15 PM Sunday at the church. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to: Pleasant Hill Baptist Church Fellowship Hall Building Fund, 754 Aiken Rd, Asheville, NC 28804.