William Stanley Bice

Dr. William Stanley Bice (Colonel, US Army, Retired) passed away at his home in Petersburg, Virginia, Tuesday, October 29, 2013. Dr. Bice, born April 28, 1928, was the sole son of William Dale and Lucille Graham Bice, a farming family in southern Illinois. After the passing of his father when he was six, Bill and his mother moved to Havana, Illinois. Bill played football, basketball, and baseball for the Havana Ducks, one of 28 members of his graduation class. Money from jobs delivering milk and ice cream helped put him through college. Bill graduated from the University of Illinois with a Bachelor of Science, then enlisted in the United States Army.
Bill served 29 years as an artillery and ordnance officer in the Army. During his service, Bill had two tours of duty in Vietnam, in addition to tours in Korea and Germany. While on active duty he obtained a Masters in Business Administration from the University of Chicago, 1965. During one assignment, he worked with Dr. Werner von Braun, German physicist. Instrumental in computerizing the Army logistics system, Bill retired with the rank of Colonel.
Bill and his late wife Pat moved to Petersburg in 1973, where Bill served as the Officer in Charge for the Logistics Division of Combined Arms Support Command (CASCOM). After retirement from the military, when most tend to start slowing, Bill joined the faculty in the Business School of Virginia State University. He subsequently began pursuing his doctorate at Virginia Commonwealth University School of Business in Richmond, becoming a faculty member, and graduating with a Doctor of Philosophy at age 60.
After retiring from VCU he continued to teach information systems for the Florida Institute of Technology and Saint Leo University to active duty personnel a Ft. Lee. Bill was active in politics in Petersburg eventually holding the position of Chairman of the Electoral Board for four years.
Bill was a member of St. Mark’s United Methodist Church, where he excelled in discipleship, serving on various committees and teaching adult Sunday School. Expanding his discipleship, Bill, together with his wife, team-taught the Disciple Bible class weekly at Greensville Correctional Center in Jarratt, Virginia. Although Bill was in command during much of his career, he always knew that he served his commander, his Lord and Savior.
Bill was pre-deceased by his wife, Patricia. He is survived by his wife, Joan Bice; son, Dr. William S. Bice, Jr. and wife, Kimberley; daughter, Deborah Ann. Additional survivors include two step-sons, Major Jake Freeman and wife, Virginia, Sam Wesley Boggs and wife, Sharon; four step-daughters, Stella Freeman, Molly Freeman, Jenny Freeman Brussard and husband, Steve, Amy Freeman Henninger and husband, Jake; nine step-grandchildren, James McNees, Jennifer Jordan, Brittney Browning, Laurie Zuniga, Ariel Zimmerman, Paul Mathieson, Rachel Kathleen Freeman, Caroline Jane Freeman, Abigail Faith Henninger; step-great-grandchild, Samuel Jacob Jordan; grandchildren, William S. Bice, III, Gregory L. Bice and wife, Emily, Thomas P. Bice, Andrew Bice, Zachary Bice, Jordan G. Bice, Noah Bice and Courtney Nichole Bice; one great-grandson, Joseph J. Bice; cousin, Donna Stickle; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Viewing will be from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. on Monday, November 4, 2013 at the Petersburg Chapel of J.T. Morriss & Son Funeral Home. A funeral service will be conducted at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, November 5, 2013 at St. Marks United Methodist Church. Reception following in the fellowship hall. A graveside service will take place at a later date in Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery in San Antonio, Texas.
Pallbearers: Walter B. Brown, Archie Marshall, O. Doyle Phillips, Jimmy Kelly, William Bice, Jr., and Jacob Freeman. Honorary Pallbearers: Disciple Participants at Greensville Correctional Center. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to Disciple Bible Outreach Ministry, P.O. Box 591, Prince George, Virginia 23875-0591 or to the Prison Chaplains Ministry of Virginia , 2828 Emerywood Parkway Richmond, VA 23294. Condolences may be registered at www.jtmorriss.com .