William Bill Alton Rice passed away peacefully on Jan. 18, 2017, at his home in Wasilla, Alaska, with his family by his side. Bill was born on Sept. 22, 1948, to Margaret Gail and Wilder Bill Rice. Being in a military family, they moved often and finally settled in Alaska in 1964. Bill helped his dad build a log cabin on Rice Island at Lake Louise, where he eventually built his forever log home. Bill worked for Arco on the trans-Alaska pipeline during its construction and spent over 30 years working on the North Slope as a heavy equipment and drill site operator before retiring in 2000. Although he had a house in Wasilla, his heart and home will always be at Lake Louise. He could always be found somewhere on the lake fishing, hunting, helping friends, visiting, grooming trails, tinkering in his shop and going on mail runs. He is survived by his wife, Francine; daughters, Jennifer Williams (Robert) and Devonna VanEsch; sisters, Leslie Hysom, Noma Moore and Shelly Mullican; stepdaughters, Sara McCormick and Lea Derner; and stepsons, Luke and Jacob Randazzo; in addition to 12 grandchildren. Bill Rice was preceded in death by son, William Benjamin Rice; and parents, Wilder Southwick and Margaret Gail Rice. A celebration of life is scheduled for July 15, 2017, at Lake Louise Lodge. "Near, far, wherever you are I believe that the heart does go on."? Rest in peace Bill Rice, you will be missed and we trust you'll keep heaven interesting for us till we can join you. Till then, it's a "Dollar waitin' on a dime."