"I was sorry to hear of and read the news that Rev. Bruce A. Rice passed away recently. I have fond memories of working at WGCA for a couple of years back around 2000. I am especially grateful that I got to have Maxine and Bruce Rice Baptize me, at a time, when I had no Pastors to call my own really. Bruce and Maxine did a lot for me, in those two years, and the memories are priceless. I hope it is soon that, we who are still alive will be caught up in the air, with those who have gone before us, and we will all be reunited in Heaven with Christ forever."
In loving memory of
Bruce A. Rice
June 6, 1945 - May 27, 2021
The Rev. Bruce A. Rice, age 75, of Quincy, died Thursday, May 27 at 6:04 p.m. in Blessing Hospital.
Bruce was born June 6, 1945 in St. Louis, Mo., the son of Richard A. and Mary F. Wilson Rice. He married Maxine Flewallen on July 2, 1967 at Trinity Baptist Church in Rock Island, Ill. She survives.
Bruce was the longtime executive director (1985-2021) of Quincy's WGCA 88.5 "The Mix," the popular contemporary Christian radio station.
In Quincy, Bruce also served as a community minister and was actively involved with many churches. He had a servant's heart and wore many hats as he ministered in the community. His role as pastor led him to walk alongside those he disciple, from baptism to marriage and beyond.
Bruce was involved as an advocate for many organizations, causes and charities, including Right to Life, YoungLife, Madonna House and the Young Republicans. He was the master of ceremonies for the Relay for Life in Quincy for many years and was active with and the leader of the Christian Ministers Fellowship in Quincy.
Bruce and Maxine, who were married 53 years, once had the opportunity to serve the Lord on a mission trip to Haiti.
Bruce loved to play golf and tennis and enjoyed traveling. He was an avid baseball fan and loyal to the St. Louis Cardinals.
Bruce received his Bachelor of Music and Master's of Administration degrees from Truman State University. Bruce was a well-known music evangelist and through the years he evangelized at more than 300 churches. He recorded three albums during his career and also served as a high school music teacher in Macon, Mo.
Bruce was saved at the age of 9 in the First Baptist Church of Ferguson, Mo., by the Rev. Fank Branson. He graduated from St. Louis McCluer High School in 1963.
In addition to his loving wife, Maxine, survivors include five daughters, Melissa "Lisa" (Phil) Cook of Ursa, Ill., Clella Rice of Quincy, Julie A. (Scott) Wingerter of Canton, Mo., Mary E. (Mark) Gille of Quincy, and Sarah C. Rice of Palmyra, Mo.; 14 grandchildren, Shelby (Brandon) Giesing, Jason (Heather) Cook, Missy Cook, McKayla Holt, Emma McKinstry, Meghan Wingerter Dedert, Ethan Wingerter, Jordan Rice DeLonjay, Jayden Rice, Kaleb Gille, Katelyn Gille, Eli Eisenmann, Payden Straube and George Straube IV; 14 great-grandchildren; a brother, Jim (Bonnie) Rice of Hannibal, Mo; and numerousnieces and nephews.
Bruce was preceded in death by parents, a granddaughter, Adriuana Rice, and two sisters, Barbara Jo Rains and Beverly Jean Rice.
Services: 11 a.m. Friday, June 4 at First Union Congregational Church in Quincy, with the Revs. Chuck Hetzler and Josh Vahle officiating.
Burial: Greenmount Cemetery, Quincy.
Visitation: 4-7 p.m. Thursday, June 3 at the Hansen-Spear Funeral Home.
Memorials may be made to WGCA. Memorial donations may be made online at https://memorials.hansenspear.com
www.hansenspear.com
Hansen-Spear Funeral Directors are in charge of the arrangements.
Tributes
"This earth and the Tri-State area will never be the same without Bruce Rice. His zeal for God, his wife Maxine and his family will be much missed. Michael and I will also miss his ever jovial face and smile and his witty and crazy charm . We hope our "abode in heaven" will be on the same street. We mourn his passing but not his graduation to greater glory. Till we see you again, buddy. Mike and Cathy Dykstra"
"I got to know BR when we worked together on the new Quincy Christian School organization. Also saw him often in the hallway of the Dame Hurdle building. Always had a smile and he use to call me CHA. A very special man who will be missed by so many. Prayers for his family. Marcia Edwards"
"Maxine, we were so sorry to see on Facebook that Bruce had passed away. We were acquainted with you, Bruce, and your girls when your family was in Warsaw, MO. Bruce was Music and Youth Leader at First Baptist there. We had many, many fun times then. Your girls were just tiny girls then. Cy Smith was the pastor. I accompanied Bruce then and enjoyed that so much and he sang at Ron's dad's funeral service. Bruce had such a beautiful voice. He was a wonderful man and will be missed by so many but what a wonderful difference he made in this world while he was here. Heaven gained an amazing soul. You and your family will be in our prayers. God bless you!! Ron and Jan Jenkins"
"Max, You and Bruce will always have a special place in our hearts. We?ve had many good times together over the years and being around Bruce was always a fun time. Such a great guy and good friend. You are in our prayers. Love Dave & Mary Lou"
"I had the pleasure of working with Bruce many years ago...one of the nicest and most sincere people I ever met."
"Words will never be enough to know the joy happiness and laughter Bruce gave to everyone he met u always had a smile on ur face when he was around. His love for Jesus that he share with everyone. He will be truly missed here but what fine he will have in heaven. Love u man. John and Ginny Bell"
"Maxine,Lisa & family so sorry for your loss B.R. was a good man & good friend & could play those keys I had the pleasure of playing with him when I played in J.T.'s worship group, he will be dearly missed by many I'll be keeping all of the family in my prayers !"
"We are so sorry for your loss, heaven has certainly gained an amazing soul. May God grant you the strength in the days and months ahead and may your memories grant you comfort."
"I worked with Bruce for years at WGCA. He and I had a lot of conversations about radio and growing up in St. Louis. He was kind to everyone he met, and a rock of patience and love. When I knew I had to move away from the area, he prayed for me and I knew God heard! There are people that come into your life for a very specific purpose, and that was Bruce for me. Max and family, I am thinking of you!"