Obituary of Wendol Rice

Wendol "Popeye" Rice, age 72, of Ringold, OK passed away on Monday, October 21, 2013 at his home. Wendol was born on July 24, 1941 in Clebit, OK, the son of Beacher Lincoln Rice and Dorothy Sims Rice. He was a 1960 graduate of Wright City High School. Wendol and Judy Carrell were married on October 9, 1974 in Broken Bow, OK. Wendol was retired from U.S. Navy where he spent 21 years serving his country. He sailed on the USS Hancock and the USS America. Wendol then went to work for the US Civil Service retiring in 1995. He was an avid gardener and enjoyed woodworking. He especially liked building cedar furniture and his family has many pieces that they will now cherish. Wendol was a loving and devoted husband, father, grandfather and brother and will be greatly missed by his loving family. He was preceded in death by his parents; and a brother, David Rice. Wendol leaves to cherish his memory his wife of 39 years, Judy of the home; sons and daughters-in-law, Wendol Rice Jr. and Billie of Krebs, OK and Mark Richter and Debbie of Park Falls, WI; daughters and son-in-law, Nancy Leffel of Haworth, OK and Kathy Ernst and Bill of Butternut, WI; brother and sister-in-law, Randall and Meryl Rice of Whiteville, TN; sisters and brothers-in-law, Sharon and Larry Belk of Ringold, OK and Barbara June and Tom Lemmons of Wright City, OK; 10 grandchildren; several nieces and nephews, other relatives and a host of friends. Services will be held on Thursday, October 24, 2013 at the Wright City Assembly of God Church. Interment will follow at the Ringold Cemetery. The family will receive friends on Wednesday, October 23, from 6:00 p.m.-8:00 p.m. at the funeral home.