Donald Burton "Don" Rice

Donald Burton “Don” Rice, 90 of Chesterfield, Virginia, formerly of Bolair, Webster County, WV passed peacefully at his home on Sunday, May 5, 2024.

 Don was born April 20, 1934 in Bolair to the late Thomas Early and Viola Mary Bell Rice. A hard working man, he left the coal mines of West Virginia to eventually become a respected mechanic at Virginia Bonded Warehouse, where he retired after many years. Don was known for instilling values such as hard work, respect, and honesty in everyone he met. He enjoyed spending time with his large extended family, rocking his grandbabies in his recliner, telling jokes and doing little things to make them smile and laugh. Don also enjoyed the occasional practical joke on those closest to him and always found time to share his fondness of the many chickens he kept with family, friends, or anyone else who was brave enough to visit with “Bill or Rojo”. He had many names his family lovingly called him including Banjo, Sugardaddy, and Papaw to name a few.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brothers Henry Lee Rice, Warren Edward “Munk” Rice, Elisha William Rice, Warden Jacob “Biggin” Rice, and Herman Allen Rice; sisters Cora May Rice and Mabel Nellie Stalnaker; son-in-law David Wayne Williams; and great-granddaughter Kirstin Dawn Ellis.

 Left to cherish his memory are his wife of 70 years Norma Louise “Patsy” Young Rice; sons George Donald “Punkin” Rice (Rita), and Timothy Lane “Timmy” Rice (Teresa); daughters Tammra Inez “Tammy” Dingle (Sam), Eva Jolene “Joey” Williams, Twyla Louise Wyland (Eddie), Stephanie April “April” Smith (Bubba), Mary Colleen DeNoewer (Chuck); brothers Doy James Rice and Ishmael Dwain Rice "Dwain"; sister Verlene Naomi Coakley; numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren, great-great-grandchildren; and many friends and extended family members.

 Funeral Services to celebrate Don’s life will be held at 1:00 PM on Saturday, May 18, 2024, at Emmanuel Assembly of God with Pastor Marty Cowger officiating. Interment will follow in the Young Family Cemetery, Bolair.

Friends may join the family for visitation two hours prior to service time, from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM at the church.

Online condolences may be left for the family at www.doddreedfh.com.

 Dodd & Reed Funeral Home is honored to be serving the Rice family.