Thomas E. Rice, 77, of Hillville died early Tuesday morning at Shadyside Hospital, Pittsburgh.

Born Dec. 22, 1927, in Karns City, he was the son of Pearl Rice Simmons and the late Edison Rice.

During World War II, he served in the Merchant Marine and attained the rank of chief petty officer.

On his return from the service, he rejoined his classmates at Fairview Township Karns City High School and graduated in 1946. He then entered the University of Pittsburgh and graduated with a bachelor's degree in chemical engineering in 1951.

He began his career with Standard Oil of Ohio and subsequently worked for the Koppers Co. and American Aniline and retired in 1989 as plant manager of the Petrolia facility of Witco Chemical after 20 years.

Mr. Rice was a member of Mater Dolorosa Roman Catholic Church in Chicora. He served on the school boards in Lock Haven and Karns City and also served on an advisory board at Butler County Community College for many years. He enjoyed playing golf, reading and gardening.

Surviving are his wife, Elizabeth Dunlap Rice, whom he married Jan. 25, 1992; his mother of Butler; his children, Theresa and Braden Troutman of Hillville, Thomas and Deborah Rice of Chicora and Mary Beth Hunt of Butler; seven grandchildren, Thomas E. III, Benjamin Rice and Mattie Marie King, all of Chicora, Elizabeth Kay of Suffield, Conn., Andrew Kay of Fairfax, Va., Braden Thomas Troutman of Petrolia and Benjamin Hunt of Butler; and five great-grandchildren. His brother, Charles and Ann Rice of Cranberry Township; a number of nieces and nephews; and his dog Winnie.

He was preceded in death by a daughter, Cheryl Rice Kay, who died March 10, 2005; his first wife, Kathleen Flanagan Rice, who died Dec. 9, 1989; a brother, Benjamin Brooks Rice; and a sister, Josephine Barger.

RICE - Friends of Thomas E. Rice, who died Tuesday, Aug. 2, 2005, will be received from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday atTHOMAS M STEIGHNER FUNERAL HOME, Chicora. The funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Friday at Mater Dolorosa Roman Catholic Church in Chicora, with the Rev. David DeWitt officiating. Burial will be in St. Mary Cemetery, Bradys Bend.Memorial contributions may be made to the Kathleen Flanagan Rice Memorial Scholarship Fund, Butler County Community College, College Drive, Butler PA 16001.