William Henry "Bill" Trice III

WILLIAM HENRY "BILL" TRICE III, 67, of Little Rock, Ark. passed away Thursday, April 10, 2014 after a lengthy illness. He was born on Nov. 19, 1946 in Vicksburg, Miss., the only son of Rev. William Henry Trice Jr. and Dr. Ethel Preston Trice. Bill graduated from Fayetteville High School before earning a BA and JD from the University of Arkansas. A University Cheerleader and a brother in the Acacia Fraternity, he loved the Razorbacks and his life on the mountain. Bill always seemed to have a black flare pen and yellow legal pad on him. He began his law career as Deputy Prosecutor for Pulaski County before entering into private practice with Senator Max Howell and Dale Price, to whom he is ever grateful for teaching him about life, politics, and the law. He served as president in the early days of the Arkansas Criminal Defense Lawyers Association and on the Board of Governors of the Arkansas Trial Lawyers Association. He represented the Arkansas State Medical Board since 1989, as well as the Arkansas State Board of Dental Examiners and Arkansas State Board of Optometry since 1991. The members of these boards were totally dedicated to improving the delivery of good health care to the citizens of Arkansas and it was his honor to help them. Accomplishments aside, Bill was a "street lawyer" in his heart and practicing out of their offices across from the courthouse was a joy with partners like Kevin O'Dwyer, Win Wilson and, most importantly, his long time friend Ron Hope. Bill might have enjoyed his practice the most when the law intersected with politics. A die-hard Democrat and political junkie, he loved working the lobbies of the State Legislature with his friend Paul Berry as well as diving into a campaign. He especially cherished his front-row seat to history as an Arkansas Traveler for the campaigns of our 42nd President. Bill served in Active Duty and the Reserves of the United States Army and the Arkansas Army National Guard from which he retired as a Lieutenant Colonel after 26 years. He maintained great respect for those who serve our country so selflessly. He was a life-long member of the Masonic Fraternity, having received the 33 Degree of the Ancient & Accepted Scottish Rite, the Red Cross of Constantine of the York Rite, and the Medal of Honor of the Grand Lodge of Arkansas. He was also a member and served as attorney for the Scimitar Shrine Temple and he was Director of the Royal Order of Jesters, Court 12. Bill loved to spend time in New York City, seeing Broadway shows and eating spaghetti with red clam sauce. He loved traveling anywhere with his wife and their dear friends Jane and Bill Arthurs, often on their shared wedding anniversaries. But the joy and color of Bill's life was experienced most when directing, choreographing, writing, or performing in productions at the Arkansas Repertory Theatre, the Community Theatre of Little Rock, The Weekend Theatre, the Barn Players in Rumson, N.J., and the Arkansas Bar Association's "Gridiron" shows. He appreciated all who ever worked on any of his shows, in any way, for sharing their talents and energies. A lifelong Christian, his relationship with Christ was learned and made possible through worship and service in the Episcopal Church since law school. He was a long time member of the choirs at Trinity Cathedral and St. Margaret's Episcopal Church and he served on the Vestry and as Senior Warden of St. Margaret's. He enjoyed spending a week every summer at Subiaco Abbey with the staff of the AIC Choir Camp. Bill was preceded in death by his father and very recently by his mother as well as his life-long friend, Gary Barket. He is survived by the love of his life, his wife of 38 years, Judy Edwards Trice; as well as three children, Kathryn Pryor of Little Rock, Jeffrey Pryor of Fort Smith, and William "Will" Trice of New York, N.Y.; three grandchildren, Aaron Pryor of Fayetteville, Andrew Pryor of Fort Smith, and Robert Pryor of Little Rock; sister-in-law, Carlyn Yancey; and brother-in-law, Samuel Edwards & wife Cloyes; a host of nieces, nephews and cousins; as well as adopted family members, Leslie Minelli and John Pettengill. The family deeply thanks Drs. Joseph Beck, Lynn Davis, and Kevin Hefner for their dedicated service, as well as special caregiver David Williams Jr. Bill's honorary pallbearers will be William Arthurs, Dr. Joseph Beck, Paul Berry, Samuel Edwards, Earnest Franklin, Ronald Hope, Dr. Ray Jouett, Kevin O'Dwyer, Everett Rowland, and Ralph "Win" Wilson. Visitation will be on Monday, April 14 from 5-7 p.m. at Doe's Eat Place in Little Rock. The memorial service will be held on Tuesday, April 15 at 2 p.m. at Christ Episcopal Church followed by a columbarium internment at St. Margaret's Episcopal Church, both in Little Rock. Bill cherished the Church as well as the performing arts in Little Rock. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Christ Episcopal Church, St. Margaret's Episcopal Church, the Arkansas Symphony Orchestra (for which he served on the Board of Directors), the Arkansas Repertory Theatre, and/or The Weekend Theatre. Arrangements by Ruebel Funeral Home, www.ruebelfuneralhome.com.