William Claiborne Rice

William Claiborne Rice, 28, passed away on November 13, 2025. He was born in Athens, Georgia, on July 14, 1997, to Clai Rice and Lydia Whitt, of Lafayette, Louisiana. Will enjoyed blacksmithing and working with his hands outside, and cared deeply for the poor and indigent, among whom he lived at various times.

In addition to his parents, he is survived by his grandparents, Peter and Berry Rice, of Athens, Georgia, and Joyce Moorman McCool, of Rossville, Tennessee, and one brother, Sam Whitt, of Lafayette, Louisiana.

A memorial service will be held on Tuesday, December 23 at 2:00 p.m., at St. Gregory the Great Episcopal Church, 3195 Barnett Shoals Rd., Athens, GA, with a reception afterwards.

In Lafayette, Louisiana, a memorial service will be held on Saturday, January 17 at 11:00 a.m., at St. Barnabas Episcopal Church, 400 Camellia Blvd. After the service lunch will be served, to which all are invited.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made in Will’s memory to Wild Cat Foundation, a charity dedicated to promoting humane solutions to feral feline overpopulation. https://wildcatfoundationla.org/donate.html

Lord and Stephens Funeral Home, East, Athens, Georgia, is in charge of arrangements, www.lordandstephens.com.