He was born at Dayton on Jan. 24, 1916, as the only child of Luther and Myrtle (Ratcliff) Rice. He was raised at Monarch, where he attended schools through the eighth grade. Earl then attended high school in Sheridan, where he graduated with the Class of 1933.

Following graduation, he was able to become a cook with the Civilian Conservation Corps for three years, then went to work on the Parker Dam in Arizona. He returned to Sheridan, going to work for Western Airlines. He transferred to Billings with the airline. A few years later, he went to work in retail grocery stores, working for Safeway and IGA stores in Billings. He worked in all parts of the stores, especially the produce dept.

Following his retirement, he enjoyed motor-homing for seven years. He enjoyed sports, including tennis, bowling, horseshoes, ice skating, roller skating and bicycling. He also enjoyed being with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Earl was a member of the Grace Chapel Community Church in Worland. He was a devout Christian, accepting Jesus as his Savior in 1951, and continued serving his membership in Gideon's International.

Earl was married to Sylvia Elhard Pomeroy on June 25, 1966, in Billings.

He is survived by his wife of Worland; and by his daughters from his marriage to Winnefred Reinhart. They are Di Anna (Bill) Miller of Pendelton, Ore., and Nicole (Roy) Dedman of Buena Vista, Colo. Also surviving are his stepchildren, Tim Pomeroy of Troy, Mont., Janet (Phil) Hawkins of Fort Worth, Texas, and Rev. Leon (Barbara) Pomeroy of Knox, Ind.; 14 grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents and by a grandson, Caleb Hawkins.

A memorial service will be held in the near future in Worland, and the cremains will be buried at Ekalaka.

Memorials may be made to Grace Community Church at 1101 Russell Ave., Worland, WY 82401.

Veile Mortuary of Worland is assisting with the arrangements.