William Rice

William A. Rice, 97, of Damariscotta, passed away on December 22, 2020.  Born in South Bristol on May 16, 1923, he was the son of Maude (Robinson) and Parker Rice.

William grew up in South Bristol with his 6 sisters and 5 brothers, and attended school there before enlisting in the Navy to assist in the World War II effort.  While in the Navy, he served mostly on destroyers.  He crossed the Atlantic 22 times with Navy convoys and fleets. He could be counted on to throw the land line accurately and to get ship’s officers back to their ship through extremely thick fog in unfamiliar waters.  While in the Navy he earned campaign medals for both the Atlantic and Pacific campaigns.  He was part of the convoy escorting the USS Missouri for the Japanese surrender ending World War II.

He married his beloved wife, Gertrude Gamage on April 28, 1946 and shared 74 years with her.  He lived in South Bristol for many years with his family while he worked at the Harvey Gamage Shipyard.  While at the Gamage Shipyard, he helped to build numerous draggers, the National Science Foundation’s research ship, the Hero, as well as the windjammers Mary Day, Shenandoah, Bill of Rights, and the Hudson River sloop Clearwater.  As a ships’ carpenter, he was also extremely adept at boat repair and repaired and refurbished many wooden boats.  

For many years he enjoyed snowmobiling with Gertrude and family, often traveling to northern Maine to enjoy this sport.  He was an avid golfer, a sport he excelled at and he traveled the state with his golf-loving brothers to try new golf courses.  Never one to be idle, he spent his retirement years caretaking for many properties in South Bristol and mowing lawns there well into his 90’s.  He was a familiar figure in his pick-up with the lawnmower and trimmer in the back.  

William (Bill) was predeceased by his sisters, Lizzie Reed, Arlene Holmes, Sudie Eugley, Louise Burnham and Edith Gamage; and brothers, Wilder, Carroll, Mervin, Walter and Merrill.  

He is survived by his wife, Gertrude (Gamage); his sister, Amy Poole of Edgecomb; daughter, Cheryl Roney and son-in law Edward Roney of Damariscotta; daughter, Joleen Rice of Windham; daughter, Wanda Rice and son in law Douglas Chin of Windham, New Hampshire; grandchildren, Kelly (Roney) Stowell, Ted Roney, Sara (Roney) Johns, Todd Thornton, Eric Chin and Ian Chin;  great grandchildren, Macy Stowell, Nathan Stowell and Lacey Thornton; and countless nieces and nephews.

A memorial service will be held at 3:00pm, on Friday, June 25th at the Strong-Hancock Funeral Home in Damariscotta.  In lieu of flowers, charitable donations may be made in William’s memory to: South Bristol Historical Society, 2124 State Route 129, South Bristol, ME  04568.

Arrangements are under the direction and care of the Strong-Hancock Funeral Home, 612 Main Street, Damariscotta, ME 04543.  Condolences, and messages for his family, may be expressed by visiting: www.StrongHancock.com.

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