William A. Rice Jr., passed away on April 29, 2025, at the age of 78, due to a long illness.  He was born in Charleston, WV, on November 15, 1946, to William A. Rice Sr. and Shirley J. Rosenbaum Rice.  Bill graduated in 1964 from KMI and went on to WVU, earning a business degree, and in 2016, he was conferred with an Honorary Doctor of Laws degree from the University of Charleston. Bill was also a Captain in the U.S. Army before returning to Charleston to run the family business, Virginia Welding Supply, eventually doubling its size and later selling it to Airgas.  Before retiring, he worked in various roles, including COO of Airgas, Executive Director of the American Welding Society, and CEO of OKI Bering.

Bill is survived by his wife of 59 years, Cherry Rice; son, David L. Rice, and daughter-in-law, Janine; two grandchildren, Avery and Elle; and three dogs, Beau, Bob, and Will.  He is also survived by two brothers, Mike Rice and Joe Rice; sister-in-law, Cathy Rice; nephews, Chris and Ryan.

Bill was predeceased in death by his son, Adam Rice “WAR III”; father, William A. Rice Sr.; mother, Shirley Rice Lewis; and dogs: Sonny, Brandy, Sugar, Spice, Blue, Ginger, Blue II, Mick, and Rose.

Bill was an avid golfer who enjoyed traveling and collecting items from around the world and playing poker with his buddies.  He was heavily involved in his community, serving on several boards, including The University of Charleston, American Welding Society, Precision Pump and Valve, BB&T, One Valley Bank, Huntington Bank, and The Bank of WV. He was also Chairman of the Board for CAMC (Vandalia Health System) for 34 years.

A memorial service to Honor the Life of William will be held at 12:30 pm, Thursday, May 15, 202,5 at Snodgrass Funeral Home, South Charleston. A private family interment will follow the service in Sunset Memorial Park.  Friends may visit from 10:30 am until service time.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the William A. Rice Nursing Scholarship Fund, CAMC Foundation, 3414 Staunton Ave, Charleston, WV 25304. Donations can also be made to the William A. Rice Family, Women in Welding Scholarship at the AWS Foundation. Donations can be mailed to the American Welding Society (issue check to: AWS Foundation), Attn: William Rice Scholarship, 8669 NW 36th Street, Suite 130, Miami, FL 33166.

Online condolences and memories may be shared by visiting www.snodgrassfuneral.com and selecting the obituary. Arrangements are in care of Snodgrass Funeral Home.