William "Bill" Rice, 92 of Concord passed away Sunday, November 30, 2014 and has joined his beloved wife Anne (Champagne) Rice who recently passed on October 16, 2014.

A lifelong resident of Concord, Bill was born on September 8, 1922 to Waistel Aaron and Mary Elizabeth (Hill) Rice.

After graduating from Concord High School, Bill served his country in WWII.   He reported for duty on Christmas Eve 1942, eventually rising to the rank of Sergeant of Company C, 14 ^th Replacement Battalion in the US Army.   Upon returning home from military service as a disabled veteran, Bill graduated from the NH Technical Institute in 1949 as a licensed electrician.  He later found his true calling as a civil engineer and retired from the NH Dept. of Transportation after 35 years of service.  He continued his engineering career with Caron Engineering until the age 70.

Bill was an avid sports enthusiast playing golf, hockey, softball and tennis throughout most of his life.  He lettered in both hockey and tennis at Concord High School.  He also led his softball team to three Capital City Softball League championships as pitcher in 1950, 1951 and 1953.  Having learned to play hockey with his seven brothers on the Saint Paul School lower pond, Bill had a lifelong passion for hockey, both as a player and coach.  He was a proud member of the Sacred Heart Hockey Club of Concord, a team that was inducted into the NH Legends of Hockey in October 2011.

As an avid golfer, Bill played on several leagues with the State of N.H. and at the Beaver Meadow Golf Club. He enjoyed many hours on the course with friends and family.

After retirement, Bill and Anne spent 18 years of retirement wintering in Florida. They enjoyed new friendships, learning new activities, spending time with their children, grandchildren and being together.

He is survived by his children William Rice and his wife Kim of Boise Idaho; Virginia Stepper and her husband Edward of Billerica, MA; James Rice and his wife Donna Lang-Rice of Bow; Andrea Doria and her husband Philip of S. Portland, ME; Jane Wells and her husband Douglas of Pembroke; Christopher Rice and his wife Patricia of Andover, MA.

Twelve grandchildren, Jennifer, William and Katie Rice; Anna and Christopher Stepper; Philip and Jimmy Doria; Christina Darling and her husband David, Tanya Robie; Nicholas, Julia and William Rice.  Three step-granddaughters include Eileen Avery, Michelle Peterson, Kristen Reynolds and several nieces and nephews.

In addition to his wife he was predeceased by his brothers Reginald Hill, Maurice Aaron, Theodore Kenneth, Thomas Seymour, Waistel Adrinorium and Lewis Rice, and two sisters Mary Fogg and Cynthia Cate.

The family would like to express their sincerest gratitude to all of the caregivers from John H. Whitaker Place, Epsom Healthcare Center, the Visiting Nurse Association and Hospice House for all the love, care and devotion shown to our father during his time of need.

Calling hours will be held at Water's Funeral Home located at 50 South Main Street, Concord on Thursday, December 4th from 4 to 7pm.

A mass of Christian burial will be held at St. John's Catholic Church, located at 69 ½ South Main Street, Concord, NH on December 5, 2014 at 10:00am, followed by a burial service at Millville Cemetery.

Due to Bill's tremendous love for hockey, in lieu of flowers, donations may be made to help rebuild the White Park the Skate House.  Please send your donations to the White Park Skate House Fund, 14 Canterbury Street, Concord, NH  03301.