Wilburn Earl Rice
March 31, 1931 - August 10, 2008
Obituary
Wilburn Earl Rice
Born March 31, 1931 in Iago, TX; died August 10, 2008 in Burien, WA at the age of 77. Wilburn served in the US Navy from 1950 – 1954. He drove truck for 47 years logging over 6 million miles, with 44 years safe driving with only one accident not his fault. He received many awards, including: safety, Driver of the Year for Easley Hauling, and Driver of the Quarter for the Washington State Trucking Assoc. to name a few. He was also a Volunteer Fireman for 16 years for SeaTac.
Wilburn is survived by his wife of 54 years, Elonna ‘Lee’ Rice; daughters Jeanette Budke, Janice Keen, and Joanne Rice; son Keith Rice; sister Joyce Greise; grandchildren Jesse Budke and Tracy Palmer; great-granddaughters Amy Budke and Baby Girl Palmer.
Funeral Service Thursday, August 14, 2008 at 12:30pm at Bonney-Watson Washington Memorial, 16445 International Blvd, SeaTac, WA 98188 206 242-1787. In lieu of flowers memorials to Highline Cancer Center, Attention Foundation, Highline Community Hospital, 16251 Sylvester Rd. SW, Burien, WA 98166, or the American Cancer Society, 728 134th St. SW #101, Everett, WA 98204.
dear elonna arlene sent to me of your picture for yr husband will and all children it is very nice and wonderful yr 4 grow big family so i am very sorry about yr great husband was gone. i understand i read e mail and looks so great. god bless you and pretty 4 children. i will let arlene know about your husband so i feel sad for my love brother and my cousin 2 passed away. stanley and i doing ok and getting bad colds then almost better today. i love you and arlene so much from audrey and stanley
Dear Will,
54 years ago you joined our family and became a special member. You were a caring and loving husband to my sister, Elonna and a great father to your children, Jeanette, Janice, Joanne and Keith. You were a hard worker and provided well for your family.
I remember so many family gatherings and what a good time all of us had. I will always remember your smiling face. You made friends wherever you went. I can only say good things about you.
You will be so missed. You are leaving a big void in our family, but when we think of you, which will be often, we will remind ourselves of all of the good times, that you are out of pain now and you are with your family members and our family members who have gone on before us. God bless you and keep you.
Your sister in law, Arlene
To Jeanette, Janice, Joanne and Keith: I want to personally thank you for giving so very much support to your mom through this very trying time. You are outdoing yourselves even though this is a deeply difficult time for you also. Your dad and mom couldn’t have raised better kids. I love all of you so much.
Aunt Arlene
And for you Elonna: if you ever need me at any time for help, spend time with you or just talk on the phone, I am here for you. May God comfort you always.
Much, Much Love, Your sister Arlene
TO OUR FAMILY…MAY THE LOVE UNCLE WILL GAVE TO ALL OF YOU, BE YOUR STRENGTH AT THIS TIME. UNCLE WILL WAS THE BEST UNCLE IN THE WORLD AND MY FAVORITE UNCLE. HIS LAUGHTER WAS GREAT , IF I CLOSE MY EYES I CAN STILL HEAR HIM. HE BROUGHT US SUCH JOY. HE WAS A TRUE GENTLEMAN. WE HAVE SO MANY WONDERFUL MEMORIES THAT WILL LAST FOREVER, PLEASE KNOW WE ARE KEEPING YOU IN OUR THOUGHTS…LOVE CAROL & ERNIE FRANCO
My sincere condolences to Janice and her family. May God bless and watch over you now and always.
I’m sure it would have been a privilege to know him, because his daughter Janice is one of the best friends I’ve ever had. God bless the family at this time.
“Honor thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee,” Exodus 20:12
“Rise in the presence of the aged, show respect for the elderly and revere your God. I am the LORD.” Leviticus 19:32
To the BEST Father a child could have wished for. Thank you with all of my heart for all the memories and laughter. No one will ever know what you have done for me in so many ways. Love from your #3 Daughter.
Such a blessing to be able to call you “Dad” and be part of the family. All the fun and happiness that you brought to the world will be sadly missed but joyfully remembered.
We know you are looking down on us with your beautiful smile, and we will forever remember that behind that boyish grin there was usually a prank or a joke or some wonderful story to share. You always brought a smile to our faces and love to our hearts.
We’ll always love you Dad,
Vickie and Larry
From one old High School buddy to another. Willburn you will be missed. This is a better World because you were here and we shared part of your life.
Jordan Myers Puggy
1950
I was very sorry to hear of Will’s death.Prayers and condolences. Dixie
My sympathy to all of Will’s family. He will be missed by many.
I may not make it to funeral, but
my prayers are with all of you.
We have many pleasant memories of Will and will miss him terribly. Our prayers are with his family. We will be in touch with Lee.
SUCH A VERY SPECIAL UNCLE. HE’LL ALWAYS HOLD A SPECIAL PLACE IN OUR HEARTS AND WE’LL FONDLY REMEMBER HIS GREAT SMILE AND LAUGHTER. LOVE ALWAYS, TED, VAL, AND FAMILY
THE BEST DAD ANYONE COULD WISH FOR. WE WILL ALL MISS YOU DEARLY. LOVE KEITH