Willard Hampton Rice, Jr.

Willard Hampton Rice, Jr., 84, Sandusky, passed away, Thursday, July 3, 2025, at Firelands Health, Sandusky, OH. He was born on July 29, 1940, in Buckhannon, WV to the late Willard and Thelma (Terry) Rice Sr. He was a retired employee of Ford Motor Company in Lorain, OH. Willard loved shooting matches, hunting, fishing, his garden tending to his flower beds, his dogs, and most of all spending time with his family and grandchildren. He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Rosalie (Gould) Rice; children, Debbie Haddix, Willard “Chuck” (Mary) Rice, and Brad (Melanie) Rice; grandchildren, Timothy Haddix, Ashley Rice, Brandon Rice, Taylor Rice, Cheyanne Rice, Bailey Rice, Madeline (Rice) Darmanin, and Cameron Rice; great-grandchildren, Liam, Ivy, Luca, Zane, and Luci; siblings, Alvin “Ford” (Joann) Rice, Rick (Connie) Rice, Dorothy Taylor, Donna Hudson, Linda (Robert) Kline, Mary Robinson, Jerri (Craig) Zickefoose, and Danny (Trish) Gould; several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; a son, Timothy Rice; and sisters, Connie, Lois, and Patricia. Friends may call on Monday, July 7, 2025, from 5-7 P.M. in Toft Funeral Home & Crematory, 2001 Columbus Ave., Sandusky, OH 44870.  Friends will be received Wednesday, July 9, 2025, from 11 AM to 1 PM at the Poling-St. Clair Funeral Home. A funeral service will be held 1 PM Wednesday at the funeral home.  Burial will follow  in the Hampton Cemetery in Hampton, WV.  Online condolences may be made to the family at www.toftfuneralhome.com or www.polingstclair.com. Toft Funeral Home & Crematory and Poling-St. Clair Funeral home are in charge of the arrangements.