William Matthew Rice

William Matthew Rice, 36, of Fort Walton Beach, Florida passed away at home on May 23, 2022. Matt was born in Fort Walton Beach to Julius “Bill” Rice and Pamela Bowman on May 1, 1986.  He attended Saint Mary Elementary School and Meigs Middle School. He graduated from Fort Walton Beach High School, class of 2006. Matt worked many years as a painter in the construction industry. He recently started his own business, Alpha Painting and Construction Services LLC. Matt truly loved his beautiful wife Christi, a local elementary school teacher. His daughter Caylee is his proudest accomplishment. His smile lit up a room and his laugh was contagious.

Matt is survived by his wife and best friend of sixteen years, Christi; daughter, Caylee; parents, Bill Rice and Pamela Bowman;  step-father, Brady Bowman; sisters, Julia, Baye, and Brooklyn; paternal grandparents, Joyce Notaro and Julius R. Rice; maternal grandparent, Kevin McArdle, his maternal aunt, Jennifer Byrd; paternal aunt, Angie Rivera, and Steve Rice;  in-laws Harry and Anne Shaffield; brother-in-law, Joseph; 15 cousins, and several nieces and nephews.

Arrangements are under the direction of Emerald Coast Funeral Home, 161 Racetrack Rd NW, Fort Walton Beach, Florida 32547 

Visitation with the family will begin at noon on Wednesday, June 1, 2022. The funeral service will commence at 1:00 PM on June 1st with Pastor George Shealy of Jackson Bluff Community Church in Tallahassee officiating.

Please visit https://www.emeraldcoastfuneralhome.com for additional information.

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