William Wiley Rice

William Wiley Rice, Jr. was born in Chicago February 25, 1937 and passed gently, surrounded by his family and friends in his home, on July 18, 2018. Wiley was the first child of William Wiley Rice and Frances Genevieve Curtin Rice and was the beloved big brother of Bunny and Joy. Wiley spent his early years in Chicago before moving to Oklahoma and completing high school at Cascia Hall in Tulsa. He was an Oklahoman the remainder of his life but always held a special place in his heart for Chicago - Go Cubbies! Wiley completed his undergraduate work at Notre Dame and then returned to Oklahoma, completing his graduate work in Regional and City Planning at the University of Oklahoma. Wiley was very humble and had a gentle, quiet presence but was passionate about urban planning and supporting community and city development. He was hired as the first City Planner for Oklahoma City and wrote the first Comprehensive Plan, meeting federal requirements and allowing the city to receive federal funding. During this time, he also proudly served as a 2nd Lieutenant in the Air National Guard. Wiley served as a leader and mentor, sharing his expertise with many younger colleagues. He had a special love for teaching and took great satisfaction in serving as an Adjunct Professor, teaching government at Oklahoma City Community College, and instilling a love for community and government in his students. He retired in 2011 as the Director of the Community Planning and Development Division for Oklahoma City. After retirement Wiley remained active in community development, continuing to consult with smaller communities in the metro area including Harrah, Warr Acres and Nichols Hills. He joined Neighborhood Housing Services of Oklahoma Board of Directors six years ago and most recently served as president. "Wiley brought all of his years of experience as a City Planner to Neighborhood Housing Services Oklahoma and provided outstanding leadership during a time of growth for our organization. We will always be grateful for how he served our community and was a steady champion for affordable housing. He will be greatly missed," said Roland Chupik, NHSOKLA Executive Director. Wiley had a keen wit and quick, wry sense of humor. He took pleasure and comfort in all of his many pets. Missy, his 13 year old "Heinz mix", has been his most recent walking partner. She will miss his gentleness and their talks. He loved watching the birds, feeding them and listening to the newly hatched baby birds in the bird houses that he put up for the nesters. Some things you may not know about Wiley. He was called by some with various endearing names… Wiley Woo, Wiley Coyote, Wiles, and when with Bonnie, "Clyde". He loved driving "sporty" cars, including a Triumph which he bought while abroad and had shipped home. Wiley connected with his Irish heritage through his love of Celtic music. His love of music extended to blue grass, folk and classical. As a baseball lover he played softball with The Three Bears and for over thirty years was a member of a fantasy baseball group with other baseball aficionados and fanatics. Wiley was sentimental and kept many things from his past including a beloved green towel that he had while at Notre Dame. It became a family joke which he accepted but kept the towel. Most of all, Wiley loved his family. He was preceded in death by his sister Joy Ray. Wiley will be missed by his wife Bonnie Fowler of the home; daughter Erin Klawiter, son-in-law Trey, and grandsons Palmer, Wyatt and Sam of Dallas; sister Bunny Bott and brother-in-law Paul of Florida as well as many nephews and nieces, friends and colleagues. He will be remembered as a loving, kind and gentle man. Erin remembers Wiley as her greatest cheerleader. Sam, his 10 year old grandson, summed it all up by saying "Papaw was a good man".