William David Rice Jr.

William David Rice Jr., son of the late William David Rice Sr. and Loyetta Rice, was born on Nov. 1, 1941, in Portageville and died on July 12, 2009, at the Crowley Ridge Care Center in Dexter at the age of 67.

Mr. Rice was a former resident of Malden, currently living in Bernie. He was known around Bernie as "Captain Mule".

On Dec. 26, 1972, he was united in marriage to Jeanette Wilcox at Bernie. Mrs. Rice survives of their home in Bernie.

Besides his wife, he is survived by three daughters, Victoria Kephart (Larry) of Kansas City, Amanda Rice of Bernie, and Bethany Johnson (Marcus) of South Bend, Ind.; one brother, John Rice of Jackson; and three grandchildren.

Visitation will be held from 1-3 p.m. Wednesday, July 15, 2009, at the Rainey-Mathis Funeral Home in Bernie.

Funeral services will follow at 3 p.m. in the Rainey-Mathis Funeral Chapel. Interment will follow in the Bernie Cemetery with Rev. Don Wells officiating.