MARTINSBURG -- The founder of The Martinsburg Rock School, formerly known as Let There Be Rock School, passed away peacefully on the night of May 16, from complications due to cystic fibrosis.
William "Butch" Rice lived his life to the fullest, in spite of the limitations he experienced from having a genetic disease.
"William was such a fighter," said his partner of 12 years, Alyson Springer. "He was born with cystic fibrosis, lived with a double lung transplant for 31 years, endured dialysis for years and tolerated multiple and increasing hospital stays. But, he never let illness define him; it was just a nuisance that got increasingly in the way of his role as family man, father, drummer, musician, rock school owner, brother, president of the TMC Motorcycle Club for a time, best friend to many and so much more. He loved life."
Rice was born in Frederick, Maryland, where he served as its cystic fibrosis poster child for many years. Although he was given a life expectancy of four years, he defied the odds and grew up to become a successful drummer, cofounding in 1993 the popular band SHAFT, in Brunswick, Md. But it was not until he moved to Martinsburg and opened up a franchise of the Frederick-based business, Let There Be Rock School, that he began to make a major impact on the Eastern Panhandle.
"A lot would not have been possible here or in the lives of so many of our local children and teens, without him," said The Martinsburg Rock School Director and President Amanda Stillwell, noting that after he passed on the reins to what is now a 501(c)(3) nonprofit music education and performance organization, he still remained actively involved in its success. "He wouldn’t hesitate to reach out and ask if the school needed anything, and show up at our shows to continue to support the kids that he knew and loved for so long. All of us at The Martinsburg Rock School are so sad to hear of his passing."
Martinsburg resident Sarah Catrow, whose children have been longtime students at the school, emphatically agreed. After hearing of his passing, she immediately took action to honor his legacy, setting up a memorial for him in front of The Martinsburg Rock School.
"He founded the school and helped make such a positive impact on the community’s youth," Catrow said, mentioning he did this both as a teacher and as an adoptive father of two. "He adopted two young girls, now 15 and 16, and gave them a great life."
To further honor the legacy of Rice, who was 58 at the time of his passing, Tilty McFlipperz dive arcade held a fundraiser dinner for The Martinsburg Rock School, on Memorial Day.
"Enjoy a free meal, on us," said Tilty McFlipperz owner Matthew Decato, mentioning the food was provided Mojo's Smash Club, Norah's Nibbles and ROCS. "In loving memory of the late William 'Butch' Rice, we ask that if you are able to donate to The Martinsburg Rock School that you please do so. I believe there is nothing Butch would want more, than to see us as a community continue to promote, love and support this amazing organization."
