Martin Lee Bice, 78, of Potomac, passed away at 12:08 a.m. Sunday, April 1, 2018, at Heartland Manor Care, in Paxton.
Mr. Bice was born on December 30, 1939, in Sycamore, Alabama, the son of William and Jewel (Duncan) Bice. He married Eleanor Childs on March 10, 1964, in Duluth, Minnesota. She preceded him in death on June 12, 2005.
He is survived by four sons- Brian (Sarah) Bice of Loda, David Bice of Potomac, Scott Bice of Armstrong and Randy Bice of Ludlow; eight grandchildren; one great-grandchild; three brothers- Billy Bice, Johnny Bice and Tommy Bice all of Alabama; five sisters- Betty Ricks of Alabama, Daisy (Fred) Hottensen of Senoia, Georgia, Brenda (Bobby) Davis, Diane (David) Dennis and Joan (Jody) Thornton all of Alabama; four sisters-in-law- Faye Bice of Alabama, Margaret Edberg, Maxine Lear and Edith Hill all of Minnesota; five brothers-in-law- Thomas Childs, James Childs, Chuck Childs, Glen Childs and Dan Childs all of Minnesota; and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
He was preceded in death by his parents, wife, daughter-in-law- Judy Bice, two brothers- Marland and Roy Bice, and one sister-in-law- Sarah Childs.
Mr. Bice enlisted in the United States Air Force, in 1963 and retired from Chanute Air Force Base, in 1983. He was a member of Potomac American Legion Post #428. He enjoyed camping, fishing, hunting and mowing his grass. He also loved stock car racing and watching football and NASCAR.
A Celebration of Martin Lee Bice's Life will be held at 3:00 p.m. Thursday, April 5, 2018, at the Blurton Funeral Home, in Potomac, with Pastor Sally Swaim officiating. Visitation will be from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home. He will be laid to rest following the services in Potomac Cemetery, with full military honors conducted by the Potomac American Legion and Illinois Patriot Guard. Memorials may be made to the Potomac American Legion Post #428. The family has entrusted the Blurton Funeral Home to assist them in honoring Mr. Bice's life. Memories or condolences may be shared with the family on his everlasting memorial page at: www.BlurtonFuneralHomes.com.
