G. Rice Wilson, Jr, 90, of St. Petersburg, FL passed from this life Sunday, April 25, 2010 at Menorah Manor Nursing Home. He leaves behind Charline, his wife of 60 years, son George (Skip) Rice Wilson III MD and daughter-in-law Judy Wilson of Jacksonville, FL, daughter Susan Wilson Davidson and son-in-law Robert (Buck) Davidson Jr. of Holiday, FL, sister Caroline Tannahill of Jackson, MS, grandson Randy Wilson and granddaughter-in law Jennifer Wilson of Kernersville, NC, grandson Chris Wilson of Jacksonville, FL, nephew Joseph Royalty of Jackson, MS and niece Janet Royalty of Atlanta, GA.
A native of Oxford, MS, Rice grew up in Jackson, MS. He began working at the age of 10 selling the Saturday Evening Post and other magazines. Later he sold newspapers and worked at the Jitney Jungle Grocery Store. He graduated from Central High School in Jackson, MS in 1938. He attended Marion Military Institute in Marion, AL and completed the Service Academy Prep Program in 1940. He returned to Jackson, MS and attended Millsaps College where he was a member of Pi Kappa Alpha Fraternity.
He enlisted in the Navy in 1941 and served as a naval aviator on board the USS Enterprise and Gambier Bay. He saw action in the Battles of the Coral Sea and Leyte Gulf and was shot down by enemy fire over New Caledonia. Later he returned to the Pacific coast flying a variety of aircraft and missions between San Diego and the Aleutian Islands. He rose to the rank of Lieutenant before being honorably discharged in 1945.
After returning to Mississippi following the war, Rice worked for the Veterans Administration while attending Mississippi College of Law where he obtained his Law degree. For a time, Rice worked with his father, George Sr., in the family owned food brokerage business until his father retired and the business was sold. The remainder of his working career was with GAB Business Service as an insurance adjuster in Nashville, TN. He obtained the designation of General Adjuster, which is the highest designation obtainable – and retired in 1985. Following retirement from GAB, Rice founded a marine surveying business, which he ran until his second retirement in 2000.
In his younger years, Rice was active in the Jaycees and Shrine. He was Past Master of Capital Lodge #600 in Jackson, MS and was a 32nd degree KCCH 50-year member. On moving to Nashville he joined the Al Menah Shrine Temple where he was an active member for many years.
Per Rice’s wishes, he will be cremated and his ashes will be stored until the death of his wife, at which time a joint graveside service will be conducted in Jackson, MS.
Memorials may be made to Shriners Hospitals for Children or the Alzheimers Association (in honor of Charline Wilson).
Continuing to keep you in our prayers. Love, Joe and Connie
I miss you Daddy. You’re still my hero. The best Dad in the world. You lived life the way you wanted. I’ll never forget your dry sense of humor.
We are deeply sorry to hear of Rice’s passing. He was a well respected treasurer of Bellevue United Methodist Church for many years and a friend to many.
Charline, we extend our sincere sympathy to you and your family. You too have been a dear friend.
We are deeply sorry to hear of Rice’s passing. He was a well respected treasurer of Bellevue United Methodist Church for many years and a friend to many.
Charline, we extend our sincere sympathy to you and your family. You too have been a dear friend.
Please accept my condolences in he loss of your father. He and I worked together for several years at GAB until his retirement. Rice was a wonderful friend and advisor and taught me to survey barges on the Cumberland River. He never spoke of his wartime experiences so I was unaware he had been shot down in the Pacific. He was so proud of ’Skip’ and the wonderful success of being a MD and teacher. He was equally proud of ’Susie’, the ’banker’. Susie was in her last year in high school when I first met Rice and was chosen for ’Governor’s School’ (if I am remembering correctly). The last time I spoke with him was about a year ago and I regret I did not follow up with more conversations. He was a GOOD man.
I am just now learning of Rice’s passing. I am a distant relative. My name is Catherine Elaine (Carswell) Barnebey. I am the daughter of Kay (Wilson) Carswell and the granddaughter of Walter B. Wilson. My grandfather was Rice’s father’s brother. Rice looks very much like my grandfather! I am happy to have made the connection to such a fine man. My condolences to all those who knew and loved Rice.