Lafayette – Byron Lowell Rice, age 81, long time Fountain County resident passed away in his home, 1:25 AM Friday, January 25, 2019.  Byron had been battling cancer the past several years.  He was born in Crawfordsville, October 6, 1937 son of the late Reed and Vivian Gilkey Rice.  On June 24, 1961 he married Shirley White Short in the Antioch Church in Mellott and she survives.

Byron was a graduate of Richland Township High School, attended Purdue University and served four years with the United States Air Force.  He farmed and raised cattle until moving to Lafayette in 2012.  He was employed as a 'Supervisor' with R. R. Donnelley for 40 years.  Byron was a member of the Attica Eagles, where he served many years as a Trustee, also serving several years on the South East Fountain School Board of Education.  He and Shirley are members of the Evangelical Covenant Church.

Byron was a workaholic…but even when farming and working off the farm for many years, he would arrange and balance his schedule so he wouldn't miss his son's and grandchildren's school activities.  He loved his family and enjoyed taking all the grandchildren on special vacation trips. He was fun loving, enjoyed wintering in Florida, golfing and bowling.  A special spot in his life was for his 'girls'! He called his herd of cows, his girls and took great pleasure in caring for them.

Surviving along with his wife Shirley are:  three sons; Troy (Sandy) Rice of Mellott, Todd (Becky) Rice of Lafayette and Trent (Leann) Rice of Mellott.  Grandchildren: Jeremiah, Logan, Dakota (Megan), Jacob, Quincy, granddaughter Morgan and great-grandson Weston.  Siblings: Lois Ingalsbe of Veedersburg and Charlie Bob (Pat) Rice of Wingate, sister-in-law Janet Wolf.  He was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers; Linn and Lloyd Lee.

Visitation hours are 3:00 – 7:00 PM Sunday, January 27, 2019 at Family and Friends Funeral Home of Wingate, with funeral services, 11:00 AM Monday, January 28, 2019 at the funeral home with Pastor Stacey Littlefield officiating.  Private family interment at Dry Run Cemetery.  Memorial contributions may be best directed to ECC Backpack Fund. Visit us on line to sign the guest book or share a memory at www.familyandfriendsfh.com