Mr. Billy Gene Rice

Billy Gene Rice was born on December 2, 1953, to the union of Mr. Rettice Rice and Mrs. Flora B. Rice in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Billy accepted Christ as his Savior at an early age. Billy received his formal education in the Milwaukee Public School System and graduated from North Division High School in 1971, where he was a proud "Blue Devil." After high school Billy attended Milwaukee Area Technical College, participating in an apprenticeship to become a journeyman machinist. In 1975, he completed the apprenticeship program and became a machinist with Harneschfeger Corporation in Milwaukee, WI. In 1981, Billy joined MCTS (Milwaukee County Transit System) as an operator/driver, until he decided it was time to join his beloved wife in retirement in February 2012. On September 30, 1978, Billy was united in holy matrimony to the love of his life, Carla Harmon in Milwaukee. Their union was blessed with two beautiful daughters, Dana and Shelly. Billy spent his life being a friend to any and everyone he encountered. There was no such thing as a stranger to Billy because once he befriended you, you became family. Billy has a large family, which he enjoyed spending as much time with as possible, special occasion or not. Family time was one of Billy's favorite pastimes; each person shared a special relationship with him. Billy and his brothers loved visiting with one another catching up, debating sporting events, showing off their rides, and bragging on whose was the cleanest. Billy adored his loving sisters, always knowing he could count on them for an ear to listen, a shoulder to cry on, and best of all a plate of food. Billy treated his nephews as his sons, proudly taking on the role of nurturing and guiding them to become the men they are today. Billy took pride in the title of "Uncle" by his many nieces whom he adored. Billy also enjoyed helping his neighbors, barbecuing, gardening, hosting parties for any reason at all and being the life of the party all while wearing a smile and cracking a joke to make you smile too. We can't forget his love for an intense debate and being an amateur historian when it came to remembering anyone from the past, especially North Division. Through Billy's journey, from his hard work and dedication to his family, his many hobbies and all his accomplishments, his real passion were his two daughters, Dana and Shelly, his two grandsons, Allen and Corey, and the newest additions, his granddaughter Brielle, and son-in-law Stevie Jones. Family was everything to Billy and it was evidenced in the way he lived his life by the things he found the most joy in. Billy loved engaging in a good conversation, especially when he could lead you into one of his many tales and argue it until it had many, many more tales. Billy loved life and sharing his with others, known and unknown. May Billy forever be etched into our hearts. Billy Gene Rice silently departed this life on Thursday, October 25, 2018. He was preceded in death by his loving mother, Flora B. Rice; loving father, Rettice Rice; loving brother, James Rice; and longtime best friend/brother Clarene Kern Jr. "Kern". He leaves to cherish his memory: his loving wife of 40 years, Carla Jean Rice; daughters, Shelly Rice and Dana (Stevie) Jones; Grandsons, Allen Johnson and Corey Johnson; Granddaughter, Brielle Carter, Milwaukee, WI; his loving sisters and brothers, Ann McCarthy of Chicago, IL, Floretta Rice, Vera Rice, Doreen (Daryl) Evans of Milwaukee, WI, Sarah (Robert) Story of Menifee, CA, Randy (Patricia) Rice of Virginia Beach, VA, Eric Rice, Tommy (Regina) Rice, Mary (john) Jackson, Odell (Paula) Rice, and Jeffrey Rice of Milwaukee, WI; mother and father-in-law Kenneth (Barbara) Oldham of Glendale, WI. He is further survived by a host of loving uncles, aunts, nephews, nieces, cousins, and friends.

Mr. Billy Gene Rice

December 2, 1953 - October 25, 2018