Vietnam War veteran and former longtime Amityville contractor William B. Rice died Dec. 5, 2008 at the Long Island State Veterans Home in Stony Brook. He was 67.

He was born April 15, 1967 in Littleton, North Carolina to Primmer and Martha (Peters) Rice and served in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War. For many years, he was a self-employed contractor and ran Rice's Whirlpool Corp. in the Amityville area. He had lived on Essen Drive for more than 40 years before moving to a veterans home.

"My father was very social and loved being active with the community," said his daughter, La Wanda Rice-Chery who said he was involved in the Amityville school board, the Amityville community center and St. John's Baptist Church. In his spare time, he loved to watch old western movies, listen to oldies music and garden.

In addition to his daughter, Mr. Rice also leaves behind his other children: Sylvia, William B. Jr., Alysia Palmer-James and La Var Rice; his grandchildren: Nicole Cumberbatch, Lenasia Arnold Rice, Natasha Rice, Natalie Rice, Nyla and Bailey James; and his brother: Jessie. He was predeceased by his wife Cora in 2001.

A wake service was conducted on Dec. 12, 2008 at the Powell Funeral Home, Amityville. The Rev. James Carter, pastor, officiated at St. John's Baptist Church, followed by interment in the Amityville cemetery with Military Honors.