Hartland, VT – Erroll R. 'Inchy" Rice, 93, died Thursday afternoon, October 27, at his home in Hartland after a brief illness. He was born February 18, 1923 in Hanover, NH the son of Rollin and Alice (Davis) Rice.

He graduated from Windsor High School Class of 1941 and then shortly after was drafted to serve in World War II. "Inchy" served as a 1st Lieutenant Navigator on board a B17 bomber and was shot down over France on June 14, 1944. He was listed as "Missing In Action" for over two months during which time he avoided capture with the help of the French Underground. Erroll managed to escape back over enemy lines to return to his squadron and continued to serve his country until he was discharged on Nov. 9, 1945.

After the war he worked for the State of Vermont as part of the Highway crew. On March 5, 1948 he married Jacqueline Henry and they had four children. Later Inchy went to work as a supervisor at Cone-Blanchard Machine Company in Windsor, VT where he worked for over thirty-three years. Through out his working career he also farmed on the family homestead. Following his retirement he worked as a U.S Postal Service Relief Driver. Mrs. Rice died July 12, 1980. He was remarried on January 18, 1985 to Edna "Peggy" Downing. They were married for thirty years before she died on August 17, 2015.

Inchy served his home town of Hartland for six years as a selectman and earlier as the town constable. He was a member of the Hartland American Legion, Post #48 as well as the V.F.W. Post #2571 in White River Jct., VT. He was a member of the Hartland Fish and Game Club and one of the founding members of the Hartland Hill Hoppers Snowmobile Club. Inchy loved to hunt, fish, snowmobile, go camping and watch the Boston Red Sox. He especially enjoyed spending time gardening. Up until just a few months ago he could be found tending his fine patch of asparagus.

He was predeceased by his two wives, a son, Jon D. Rice, four brothers, Vinton, Charles, Reginald and Gordon Rice and four sisters, Sarah Maynes, Alice Gould, Connie Tessier, and infant sister, Ardelle Rice.

He is survived by his daughter, Cathie Kivler and her husband, Harry of Dunnellon, FL, two sons, Ronnie Rice and his wife, Yvonne of Hartland, VT, Jimmie Rice and his close friend, Patty of South Royalton, VT, two grandsons, Jason Rice of Hartland, VT, Justin Rice and his fiancé, Kate of Hartland, VT, one granddaughter, Nicole Sawyer and her husband, Kevin of South Royalton, VT, three step sons, John Downing of Somersworth, NH, Mark Downing of Ponder, TX, Terry Downing of Pilot Point, TX, many step grandchildren, and great grandchildren, also many nieces and nephews.

A graveside service with full military honors will be held Wednesday, November 2, at 2:00PM in the Hartland Village Cemetery with Rev. Paul Sawyer officiating. In lieu of flowers the family requests memorial donations be made to one of the following; the Hartland Hill Hoppers, at PO Box 105, Hartland, VT 05048, the Hartland Fish and Game Club, at PO Box 276, Hartland, VT 05048, or the Windsor Meals on Wheels Program at 46 North Main Street, Windsor, VT 05089.

The Knight Funeral Home in Windsor, VT has been entrusted with arrangements.