William M. "Willie" Rice

William Myers (Willie) Rice, 94 years strong, of Hendersonville, Tennessee, passed away on December 4, 2025.

Willie was born on September 1, 1931, to Miles Patrick Rice and Nellie Mae (Birrer) Rice on the same Sumner County farm where he later built his own home.

After graduating from East High School in 1951, he went to Vanderbilt University on a football scholarship. He took two years away from college to proudly serve in the United States Marines Corps and then returned to Vanderbilt to finish his degree in civil engineering.

After college, he worked in road and bridge construction, eventually owning Rice and Papuchis Construction Company. He built many roads and bridges in the Nashville area and beyond.

In 1957, Willie married Katherine Rebecca Curtis, whose pigtails he liked to pull back in elementary school. They shared a love of gardening, good food, church work, a strong work ethic, and family. Willie and Katherine went on to have three children: Rebecca Rice Dempsey, Robert Myers Rice, and Suzanne Rice Thompson.

Willie was a former elder of Hendersonville Church of Christ. He was a benevolent soul, always giving those he deemed “down and out” an opportunity, whether that be a job, personal encouragement, or financial assistance. Whispering Pines Christian Camp was near and dear to his heart. He donated countless hours of his time, equipment, and personal resources to the construction of the camp. He also spent many years volunteering at the Nashville Rescue Mission and the Madison Church of Christ Benevolence Center. He met weekly with a mens’ Bible study group for decades.

His most extraordinary talent was recognizing people who needed a laugh and saying or doing whatever silly thing he needed to get a chuckle. He felt it was his duty to brighten someone’s day.

In February 1992, he lost Katherine to a year-long battle with cancer. After retirement, he married Carole Ann Hawkins and began to focus on his love of farming, gardening, and raising cattle. He loved to work hard. It was his remedy for everything.

Willie was preceded in death by his parents, five siblings, Harold Rice, Pauline Gammon, Minnie Overton, Ellen Kemp, and Dewitt Rice, and both of his wives. He is survived by his three children, Becky (Steve) Dempsey, Bob (Leslie) Rice, and Susie (Steve) Thompson, seven grandchildren, Ryan and Alex (Carson) Dempsey, Sam and Rob Rice, and Kate, Kyle, and Drew Thompson, and two great-granddaughters, Ari Thompson and Hattie Dempsey.

Willie loved life, people, and, most importantly, God. His hearty laughter, football and construction stories, generous spirit, and love of family and friends will be missed by all who knew him.

Visitation wlll be Monday, December 8 from 10:00–11:00 am at Hendersonville Memory Gardens. Funeral services will follow at 11:00 am.