Billy D Rice

Billy D. Rice, 77, of Cleveland, passed away Friday, May 6, 2011, at his home. He proudly served his country in the U. S. Marine Corps as an M.P. He was a retired truck driver known as "White Eagle", and was a member of Honestville Baptist Church in Ooltewah. His hobbies in life included horses, fishing and racing. He was preceded in death seven years ago by his wife, Phyllis Rice, his parents, Virgil and Olyra Murchison Rice, step-daughter and husband, Debbie and Eddie Phillips, and sister, Wilma Holt. He is survived by a special grandson, Nathon Minor and wife Kimberly of Cleveland; children: Kathy Raines and husband Lonnie, Mark Rice, Delane Rice and wife Joy, and Anita Rice, all of Cleveland; special great grandchild, Sahara Minor, and several other grandchildren and great grandchildren; and one brother, Doyle Rice of Cleveland. Funeral services will be conducted at 1:00 p.m. Tuesday, May 10, 2011, in the chapel of Ralph Buckner Funeral Home with Pastor Johnny Underwood officiating. Interment with military honors will follow in Sunset Memorial Gardens concluding with a white dove release. His family will receive friends from 5 ? 8 p.m. Monday at the funeral home. We invite you to send a message of condolence and view the Rice family guestbook at www.ralphbuckner.com.