Zephyrhills FL, Florida - SMS William I. Rice, 89, of Zephyrhills, Fla. and previously of Hampden and Greenville, passed away December 28, 2017. He was born July 23, 1928, in Brewer, Maine.

Bill spent 39 years of military service in the United States Navy, Air Force and Maine Air National Guard. He retired as Sr. Master Sergeant from the Air Guard as a Supply Management superintendent. After retiring from military service, he worked for the HE Sargent Company as a Safety Director. He lived in Hampden for many years with his wife, Elaine Betts, and their 2 sons, Scott and Randy.

A native of Brewer, he went to Brewer High, leaving the class of 1946 to join the Navy, serving overseas on the USS Leyte as Aviation Storekeeper until 1948, joining the Air Guard in 1951, and got called to active duty, serving 21 months during the Korean conflict. He returned to the Maine Air National Guard in 1952, and retired in 1988. He was presented the First Oak Leaf Cluster to the Air Force Commendation Medal by Colonel Scott Philbrick.

Bill is survived by his wife, Brenda of Zephyrhills, Fla.; son, Randy (Gail) of Freeport; brother, Richard of Brewer; grandson, Sean of Monmouth; mother, Judi; stepchildren, Wade (Ruth) Philbrick of Greenbush, Torri Whitcomb of Bucksport; step-granddaughter, Jennifer (Robert) Otis of Greenbush; great-granddaughters, Stevie and Paulie Otis of Greenbush. He was preceded in death by his wife, Elaine; son, Scott; brothers, Gene and Frances.

Military service will be held at 11 a.m July 23, 2018 at Lakeview Cemetery 828 Western Ave (Route 202) Hampden Maine.