1948-2026
Buddy Rice, 77, of White Hall, was a patriotic Mason who never met a stranger and loved hunting, fishing, shooting pool and fixing things.
He passed away Wednesday, March 18, 2026, in White Hall.
Born Edward Dean Rice April 10, 1948, in Moro, Arkansas, Buddy was a son of Chester Dean Rice and Louise Babbit Rice.
Buddy was reared and received his early education in Phillips County. He proudly served in the United States Army during the Vietnam War.
He moved to Pine Bluff and began working at White Bluff when it opened as a welder and worked there as an outage manager and maintenance and welding technician prior to his retirement.
Buddy was a long-time member of the Jacob Brump Masonic Lodge.
Along with his parents, he was preceded in death by his loving wife, Hazel Ray Rice; and two sisters, Glyn Logue and Phyliss Ann Rice.
Survivors include his daughter, Lesley Brown (Adam) of White Hall; three sisters, Mary Garrison, Billie Jean Ray (Robert) and Sharon Frachiseur (Tim); brother, Steven Rice (Kim); two grandchildren, Ethan Via and Valynn Via; and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and in-laws.
Funeral services with military honors will be 11:30 a.m., Saturday, March 21, 2026, at First Baptist Church of White Hall with Brother Mark Spencer officiating by Robinson and Fuller White Hall Funeral Chapel. Visitation will be Saturday morning from 10:30 a.m. until service time at First Baptist Church of White Hall.
