William Troy Rice III

William Troy Rice III “Bill” was born Newport News, VA in 1943. He grew up in Greensboro, NC, and graduated from Guilford College. It was in Greensboro that he met the love of his life, Mae, while she was hosting at one of his favorite restaurants, Market Street West. They were married in a small ceremony in Henderson, NC. They resided in Greensboro and had their first son, Troy in 1976. Shortly thereafter Bill was offered a job which moved their family of three to Charlotte, NC. In Charlotte they welcomed Daryn in 1977, and Corina in 1981. Bill worked in the corporate America space, He was vice president of Luwa Corporation and established a network of representatives in the US that sold chemical processing equipment manufactured in Zurich, Switzerland and Copenhagen, Denmark. With his work he traveled extensively thru Europe, Canada, and the United States. Many times, with Mae as his Travel companion. Leaving the corporate space Bill took his numerous years of experience in corporate America to the non-profit sector and was the Executive director for Gift in Kind in Charlotte NC. His eldest son, Troy went to work for him at GIK and together they started a sister company See the Matrix and Bill would find himself once again in the corporate world. Thru STM Bill also helped his son Daryn start his own cabling division of that company. Not to be left out he also helped his youngest Corina start her own business Snacks Provision Co. Bill was a serial entrepreneur and not much made him happier than helping his children succeed in their own entrepreneurial aspirations. Bill was a true Renaissance man. He enjoyed and excelled at woodworking, and he dabbled in numerous artisan crafts. He made his own kaleidoscopes, and later in life started working with silver and making jewelry for family and friends. Bill also loved to cook and loved testing and trying out new recipes. Bill was an avid meat smoker and was famous for his own take on traditional eastern NC “cue”, complete with his signature vinegar-based barbecue sauce that has quite the following. In 2015 Bill and Mae moved to the Clayton area. In retirement he enjoyed traveling, one of their favorite spots being Hilton Head, SC and was still very involved in all of his children’s businesses. He is survived by his wife, Mae; sons, Troy, and Daryn (wife, Margie); and daughter, Corina (fiancé, Jack) and 6 grandkids: Carter (20); Merrick (17); Maddie (14); Bradley (10); Henry (10); Charlie (7) and was a excited to add two more grandkids to the mix Lisa (20) and James (17) after Corina’s wedding in May.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made in his honor to the SECU Hospice House 426 Hospital Rd. Smithfield, NC 27577.