MACON — William “Whip” Rice, 76, died Nov. 1, 2025.

Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Saturday, at Macedonia Baptist Church, with Terry Lee Rice Jr. officiating. Burial will follow at Oddfellow Cemetery. Family-only visitation is from noon-1 p.m. at Lee-Sykes Funeral Home. Lee-Sykes Funeral Home of Macon is in charge of arrangements.

Mr. Rice was born May 16, 1959, in Noxubee County, to the late Celix and Tennie B. Patterson-Rice. He was formerly employed with the Coca Cola Bottle Company and was a member of Macedonia Baptist Church.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his siblings, Rosie B. Frazier, Willie Lee Walker, Sadie Mae Bradford, D. Earl Rice, Clevester Rice and R.C. Rice.

He is survived by his wife, Patricia Rice of Macon; children, LaQuanda Taylor and Precious Spann of Macon; siblings, L.C. Rice of Starkville, Coty C. Rice and Idella Hibbler, both of Macon, and Bernice Phillip of St. Louis, Missouri; 11 grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren.