Millard Rice

MILLARD RICE

1928-2014

Millard, kind father, grandfather, and loving husband, was born and raised in Claresholm, Alberta, Canada.  He was the oldest of five children of Otis Scott Rice and Artence Elizabeth Champneys. Millard enjoyed an adventuresome childhood.  He developed a passion for airplanes and loved to build model planes with his brother Leonard.  He also loved music and dance. In high school he and his friends formed a local jazz dance band, called the Silver Tone Seven.  Millard was the drummer. Millard continued to pursue his passion of airplanes, becoming an air cadet, and experiencing the joy of flight learning to fly solo.  He later attended BYU where he met his eternal companion, Marilyn Elva Moore.  In 1957 Millard married his sweetheart in the Salt Lake Temple. Together they reared six beautiful children.

Millard was a multi-talented person who took great pride and care in all that he did.  He had a quick wit and was excellent handyman and craftsman.  He worked in the FAA, built roads, built and sold tent trailers, and constructed homes.  He was always planning or doing projects.  He eventually returned to the work environment he most loved, being near planes and jets, when he found employment at the Salt Lake City Airport as a building inspector, where he retired after some 15 years of service.

Millard loved and studied the gospel of Jesus Christ.  He had a strong testimony that influenced his family for good.  Millard served faithfully as a missionary and in all his Church callings.  He loved to speak of his mission to New Zealand and especially enjoyed his temple calling.  Preceded in death by his wife, Marilyn, son, Joseph, brother, Leonard, and sister, Dreena; he is survived by sister, Velma; brother, William; six children, Carol and John Walster (West Jordan), Robert and Erna (Layton), David and Tammy (Plano, TX), John (Holladay), Paul and Melinda (West Jordan), Julie and Paul Pascoe (Bountiful), and 18 grandchildren.

The family expresses their deepest gratitude to all his caregivers and friends that provided him so much joy and kindness.  Funeral services will be held Wednesday, January 15, 2014 at 11:00 a.m. at the Bountiful 28th Ward 2285 S. 200 W. Bountiful, UT.  Friends may visit family Tuesday evening from 6-8 p.m. at Lindquist’s Bountiful Mortuary 727 N. 400 E. and from 9:30-10:30 a.m. Wednesday prior to the services at the church.  Condolences may be shared at www.lindquistmortuary.com