May 12, 2004 – November 26, 2024
William Xavier Rice, born May 12th, 2004 – age 20, of New Hope, Alabama, passed away on Tuesday, November 26th, 2024.
William was a kid at heart with no fear, often throwing himself fully into new adventures and hobbies. He enjoyed country-boy and daredevil activities like playing the guitar, camping, hunting and fishing, fixing things up, dirt biking, and pyrotechnics-to name just a few. He most recently had a passion for bull-riding, despite his family’s best attempts to dissuade him.
William was a natural-born athlete who excelled in baseball, soccer, and football. He won multiple accolades and awards in high school and went on to play football for Huntingdon College, where he was a linebacker. He poured his heart and soul into the sport and was a loyal teammate.
William was energetic and quick-witted, lighting up any room with his silly personality. He never failed to make people laugh, intentionally with a joke or by his silly disposition. You couldn’t mistake William in the room on any occasion with his cowboy hat, giant belt buckle, and bolo tie – his fashion inspired by his late ‘fun-cle’ Greg.
William was exceptionally kind-hearted despite his tough-boy hobbies. He loved people with his whole heart, never leaving his house without saying, “I love you.” He was a nurturer, taking extra care to make sure the people in his life knew they were loved.
William is survived by his parents, Lisa and Michael Rice; his older brother, Cody Rice; grandparents, Billy and Cheryl Rice, James B. and Cynthia S. Hughes, and Carolyn Boles and Victoria Thomas; and a whole slew of aunts, uncles, cousins, and other family and friends.
William is preceded in death by his older sister, Stephanie Renee “our little angel”; great-grandparents, Lila and Bill Rice, Bill Boles, Howard S. and Ruth Hughes, Margie Keltner; and his uncle, Greg Rice.
Visitation will be on Monday from 12:00 PM to 2:00 PM at New Hope Funeral Home. Services will be held at New Hope Funeral Home Chapel on Monday at 2:00 PM.
The interment will be in New Hope Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, please make donations to New Hope High School 5216 Main Drive, New Hope, Al 35760 C/O William Rice Scholarship fund or Huntingdon College Football Team in William’s memory.
