William Booker Rice

William Booker Rice, 88, of 1083 Rip Rap Road, Virgilina, VA, went to his heavenly home on Saturday, January 9, 2021. He was born to Arthur and Lucy Morris Rice. He was predeceased by his wife of 62 years, Martha “Tuny” Rice. He was a member of Union Christian Church in Virgilina and was retired from Rochester Button Co. in South Boston, VA. Everyone knew him as “Badeye”. He loved to hunt with his grandsons and the Gill’s Mountain Hunting Club. He also loved to fish, most recently with his fishing buddy, Buck. He had a love for baseball, the Atlanta Braves and any team his great-grandson, Zack, played for over the years. Even with his declining health a few years ago, he continued to travel to watch him play ball. Leaving behind to cherish the wonderful memories are his daughters, Wanda Thomas (Wade) and Robin Wolford (Terry) of Oxford, NC; grandchildren, W.L. Rice of Poulsbo, WA, Wendy Michelle Keeton (T.J.) of Oxford, NC, Doyle Rice of Roxboro, NC; great grandchildren, Zack Keeton of Oxford, NC and Logan and Brady Rice of Poulsbo, WA. Also surviving are brothers and sisters, Bertha Elliott of Roxboro, NC, Thomas Rice of Virgilina, VA, Cecil Rice (Dottie) of Buffalo Junction, VA and Dee Rice of Nelson, VA; sister-in-law, Cordelia Morris of Roxboro, NC; 3 step grandchildren and 2 step great grandchildren. He was predeceased by son, Lynn Rice; sisters, Helen Newton, Willie Lee Glasscock, Rebecca Honeycutt, Dorothy Honeycutt and Emma Rice. Funeral services will be held at 2 PM on Thursday, January 14, 2021, at Union Christian Church at 8021 Florence Ave. Virgilina, VA, 24598 with the Reverend Norman Talley officiating. The family will receive friends at the church beginning two hours before the service and all other times at the residence. Burial will be in Virgilina Cemetery. The service will be broadcast on the radio at 87.9 FM, as well as available for viewing on the Watkins Cooper Lyon Funeral Home Facebook page.The family asks that all visitors please practice social distancing and wear face coverings. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donation be made to Union Christian Church or the Virgilina Fire Department. Online condolences may be made at www.wclfh.com. The family is being served by Watkins Cooper Lyon Funeral Home, Clarksville, VA.