Doris Ann (Williams) Dice, of Monmouth, IL, passed away peacefully at home on Sunday February 12, 2023, she was 89 years old. Doris was born on the family farm, November 4, 1933 in New Ross IN, the youngest daughter of Earl M. and Nellie (Hadley) Williams. She was raised and educated in New Ross, IN, graduating as Valedictorian from New Ross High School. During that time, she was also a Latin Honors Scholar. She later attended the Arthur Jordan Conservatory in Indianapolis, IN, where she studied piano. She was a lifelong learner and lover of knowledge.
Doris married James B. Dice on January 23, 1953 in New Ross, IN., during the Korean War. She and Jim moved to Newport, RI where he began his career in the Navy, with her full support. During those Navy years, Doris worked hard to be a good homemaker for their expanding family, while Jim was out to sea. And in those years, it has been counted that she and Jim moved around 18 times, bouncing from the East Coast to the West Coast, until they finally settled back into the Midwest to be closer to family.
Over the years, she was also a secretary at Monmouth College, an organist at the First United Methodist Church and the Heritage Presbyterian Church, both in Monmouth, IL. Music was her most favorite hobby and subsequently she became a music major at Western Illinois University, to fine tune her skills at piano and pipe organ, over the years. For some time, she also taught piano in their home. She also loved to read and garden and watch Lawrence Welk (no matter how many times she had already seen the reruns). And you always knew where to find her Monday through Friday at 4:30, because JEOPARDY!
She was baptized in 1950 into the New Ross Christian Church and later attended the First United Methodist Church, Galesburg, IL, and was a current member of the First United Methodist Church in Monmouth; where over the years she and Jim made many good friends whom she cherished.
Survivors include her husband, James B. Dice of Monmouth; their 5 children, Linda S. (Brian) Waters of Ishpeming, MI, Philip B. (Linda) Dice of Springfield, IL, Brenda L. (Douglas) Sibon of Aurora, IL, Daniel J. Dice of East Moline, IL and Melissa R. (Christopher) Hanley of Downers Grove, IL; 7 grandchildren, James (Allison) Dice of Colorado City – CO, Nathan (Fiona) Sibon of San Francisco – CA, Mark (Tiffany) Dice of Jacksonville – NC, Hadley Marie Sibon of Chicago, IL, Andrew J. (Katelyn) Sibon of Joliet, IL, Quinn J. Hanley of Downers Grove, IL and Griffin B. Hanley of Downers Grove, IL; 3 great grandchildren, Harrison Dice, Cillian Dice and Ruari Dice all of NC; several nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents, 3 brothers, Homer Williams, Harold Williams, Howard Williams and 4 sisters, Nina Evans, Helen Williamson, Mary Walters and Aileen Young.
The family wishes to thank and acknowledge the wonderful doctors, therapists, and nurses that cared for her at OSF in Monmouth, Galesburg and Peoria (Special thanks to Hospice staff Dana, Candy, and Amy). A special thank you to Taeryn, Brittany, Kim and all the wonderful therapists and nurses at Bounce Back at Seminary Manor.
A Celebration of Life Service will be at 2:30 p.m., Saturday, February 18, 2023 at McGuire & Davies Funeral Home and Crematory, Monmouth. Visitation will be prior to the service from 1:00-2:30 p.m. at the funeral home. Cremation will take place following the services and Interment will be in Warren County Memorial Park, Monmouth, IL. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to the First United Methodist Church of Monmouth, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital or the Shriners Children’s Hospitals. For more information or to leave an online condolence please visit, www.mcguireanddaviesfuneralhome.com.
