Walter W. “Bill” Rice, 85, of Fort Walton Beach, passed away surrounded by his loving family on Saturday, October 28, 2017 in Fort Walton Beach, Florida.  Bill was born September 14, 1932 in Dayton, Tennessee, the son of the late John R. Rice and Cleo Bridgeman Rice.  He was a retired Master Sergeant of the United States Air Force where he served two tours of duty in Korea and one duty in Vietnam. He was also member of the Moose Lodge.  In his spare time Bill enjoyed playing golf, shooting pool, spending time with his family, and in his younger years playing volleyball.  He was preceded in death by his loving wife of 57 years Reba Suttles Rice, his parents, three sisters Jo Rice, Anna Rice Travis, and Carolyn Rice Mann.  Bill leaves his cherished memories to his loving daughters Becky E. Kirk (Billy) and Kay Robertson (Brad); six grandchildren Melissa Fuller (Charlie), Bryan Kirk, Jamie Robertson, Lindsey Brown, Shaun Robertson, and Bradley Robertson; twelve great grandchildren; brothers Bobby Rice of Fort Walton Beach and Roy Rice (Sharon) Dayton, TN; sisters Ellen Kimsey (Richard) of Rockwood, TN and Faye King (John) of Bakewell, Tennessee.  Family will receive friends from 1:00 – 2:00 pm Wednesday, November 1, 2017 at Emerald Coast Funeral Home, 161 Racetrack Road, Fort Walton Beach, Florida. Funeral services will follow the visitation at 2:00 pm at the funeral home.  Interment will follow the services at Beal Memorial Cemetery with military honors.  The family extends their sincere appreciation to the staff of Regency Hospice for their wonderful care and support.  In lieu of flowers the family request that memorial contributions be made in Bill’s honor to Regency Hospice, 11 Racetrack Road NE, Fort Walton Beach, FL 32547. 

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