Obituary of Bill Grice

Billy Earl "Bill" Grice Sr., age 83, passed away on Friday, June 13, 2014 at his home in Idabel, OK. He was born in Rulesville, MS on November 26, 1930. Bill joined the Army Air Corp. in 1946 as a 15 year old. He like many others stated they were older to be able to serve their country. Serving during the final days of WWII he was discharged in 1947 only to rejoin a year later, what was soon to become the US Air Force. Thus began a career that lasted over 20 years and saw Bill serve in both the Korean War and Vietnam. Bill retired in 1968 as one of the select few serving in WWII, Korea and Vietnam. He continued to serve his country when he went to work for the FBI where he spent 19 years. Bill met his wife Novella George, a Haworth native while she was a student at SEOSU in Durant, OK, she later also joined the US Air Force and her and Bill were married. They moved their family to McCurtain County in 1992. Bill never met a stranger and he soon made many friends and became very active in his community. He served as mayor of Haworth for several years before moving to Idabel, helped start the SE Oklahoma Chamber of Commerce, was an active member of the Idabel Rotary Club and a member of the Haworth Church of Christ. Bill loved McCurtain County and did everything he could to make it a better place to live. He was a very talented at dominos as well as about any other game he played. Bill was one of those that could tell you exactly what dominos were left and what your possible plays were. Chris and him enjoyed their last game of dominos not long before his passing and of course Bill won. Bill was proud of his family and inspired them by the life he lived. He was a loving and kind husband, father and friend and he will be greatly missed. He was preceded in death by his parents, Morris and Lily Mae Springer Grice; a son, Billy Grice Jr.; his granddaughter who he looked forward to holding in heaven, Leslie Michelle Grice; a sister, Hazel Grice Ware; and brothers, Jack Grice and Bobby Grice. Bill leaves to cherish his memory his wife, Novella Grice of the home; sons and daughters-in-law, Chris and Brianna Grice of Idabel, OK and John and Pam Grice of South Carolina; a daughter, Regina Grice of Idabel, OK; grandchildren, Billy E. Grice III and Bobby Grice both of Texas; brothers, Morris Grice Jr. of Belzoni, MS and Jimmy Grice of Jackson, MS; a sister, Jeanette Frazier of Belzoni, MS; several nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends. The family will receive friends from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm, Wednesday, June 18, 2014 at the funeral home. Funeral services will be at 2:00 p.m. Thursday, June 19, 2014 at the By Pass Church of Christ in Idabel, OK with Aubrey Thompson officiating. Interment with military honors follow at Denison Cemetery.