William was born in Belchertown, Massachusetts to Nathan Rice (1760-1838) and Hepzibah Allen (1763-1854).

William Rice was raised in Wilbraham, Massachusetts, but spent some time working as a carpenter in New York.

In 1810, a William Rice placed an advertisement seeking journeymen to work in his cabinet and shop joiner's business in Wilbraham.

His loss to Democrat James E. Russell in 1858 was considered the most significant result of the local election.

Following this defeat, his son in law, Norman Norton also resigned from the post of County treasurer.

[3] He was elected a town selectman from 1824-1826 and 1830, then a member of the Massachusetts House of Representatives from Springfield in 1831.

He was one of the founders of Wilbraham Wesleyan Academy, giving it a third of its land, and helping the institution to succeed.