William (Bill) Rice

William (Bill) Rice, age 59 of Fairfield, passed away peacefully Saturday, January 30, 2016 at the CT Hospice, Branford. Born in Miles City, Montana, the son of the late Dr. Frank and Kathleen Rice, he was raised in Fairfield and had been a lifelong area resident. Bill graduated from Andrew Warde High School and received his Associates Degree from the Connecticut School of Electronics. He was an automotive technician for most of his career and worked at Grasmere Service and Sport Hill Sunoco. He was a member of the Fairfield Elks Lodge 2220. Bill was an active long-time volunteer for the CT Special Olympics and was also a volunteer for the CT Yankee Council Boys Scouts of America and volunteered at Camp Pomperaug. He enjoyed helping his late father and the Fairfield Conservation Commission surveying the open space trails throughout the town. Bill could always be seen behind the wheel of a tow truck assisting those who needed his help. Survivors include his six siblings and their families: Marilyn Rice, Andy and his wife Kathy and their children, Kristina, Melanie and Rebecca, Janet and Mike DiGiovanni and their children, Bryan and Deanna, Thomas and his wife Deborah, Cassie Brown and her children, Mariel, Michaela, Kathleen and Daniel, David and his wife Suzanne and their children, Kyle and Phillip. Bill is also survived by a host of cousins. Friends may greet the family Tuesday, February 2, 2016 from 5-8 p.m. in the Spear-Miller Funeral Home, 39 South Benson Road, Fairfield. Family and friends will gather on Wednesday at 11:00 at the funeral home to join in a procession to Willowbrook Cemetery in Westport where Bill will be laid to rest. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to the CT Hospice, 100 Double Beach Rd, Branford, CT 06405. For information or to sign an online guest register please visit www.SpearMillerFuneralHome.com