Steven W. Rice's Obituary
RICE, Steven W., age 53, of Waynesville, passed away Monday, July 25, 2022.
Steve enjoyed working as a cook for most of his life after graduating high school. In addition, he managed Der Dutchman Restaurant and Stone House Tavern in Waynesville for several years. In addition, he did some painting and landscaping work for a while and was working for Lowe’s in South Lebanon recently. He was a proud member of the Sons of the American Legions Post 615.
Goofy, friendly, outgoing, loving, strong, giving, and sports-oriented, Steve was competitive, especially with sports, and treated everyone he knew with kindness. His high school days were filled with sports. As a freshman, he lettered in basketball, football, and baseball. While he held some short-term records in football during his high school days, it was basketball that he will always be remembered for and excelled in. With over 1000 points scored in basketball during his four-year career, which was before the establishment of the three-point shot, he held the scoring record and a record for rebounding for many years. For his outstanding accomplishments in basketball, he was inducted into the WHS Athletic Hall of Fame. Following his high school days, he continued to enjoy sports, especially by playing recreational softball, rooting on the Cincinnati Bengals and Reds, and coaching youth sports. He always had a mind for sports, where he studied and kept stats for local and professional sports and even played a card game involving stats, which he enjoyed all his life.
Steve enjoyed a variety of other hobbies, including geocaching, watching the show Ghosts on television, and spending time with his family. He loved the Christmas holiday when the family gathered together. He especially loved the tradition of trying to win his family’s ugly sweater contest each year, which he did by coming up with an entire ugly cat suit one year. While his sports career was something he was always proud of, Steve was very family oriented, and if asked what he was most proud of, he would say that his daughters were his greatest pride and joy. He also loved his dog, Reno.
He was preceded in death by a son, Steven D. Rice; his parents, Jim and Mickey Rice; and one sister, Jeannie Allen. He is survived by two daughters, Samantha Rice and Alayna (Cory) Carson; stepdaughter, Tabitha (Brandyon) McMillian; one sister, Sheryl Rice; grandson, Carson; nieces, Jamie, Jessica, and Brianna; seven great nieces and nephews, Logan, Isaac, Elisha, Judah, Lily, and Lila; and his cousin who was raised like a brother, Bryan (Lynn) Young.
Funeral services will be held at 11 AM Friday, July 29, at Stubbs-Conner Funeral Home in Waynesville. Burial will be in Miami Cemetery, Corwin. Kenneth Angel will be officiating the services. The family will receive friends 5 - 8 PM Thursday at the funeral home. If desired, contributions may be made to the Steve Rice memorial fund by visiting the Waynesville branch of Peoples Bank. Condolences at www.stubbsconner.com.
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