Mr. Steven Michael Rice, 68, of Columbia, SC, died on Saturday, December 21, 2024. Born on June 10, 1956, in Waltham, MA, he was the son of the late Bernard and Irene Rice.

Mr. Rice was a dedicated law enforcement officer, retiring after 10 years of service with the Orange County Sheriff's Office in Florida. He worked in 9-1-1 operations and served as a reserve deputy. He later worked as armed security at Virginia College. Mr. Rice achieved the highest rank of Eagle Scout in the Boy Scouts of America. One of his beloved hobbies was centered around guns and weaponry. He enjoyed going to various gun shops, adding to his collection, cleaning the weapons, and going to the gun range for firing practice. Above all, Mr. Rice loved his family, spending time with them any chance he got. He enjoyed many family trips traveling on cruises to different places and making fond memories together.

Survivors include his wife of 40 years, Linda Marie Rice; his children, Chris Rice (Marcy) of Columbia, SC, Jennifer Browne (Kevin) of Redline, PA, and Kevin Rice (Heather) of Fayetteville, NC; 7 grandchildren; 2 great-grandchildren; and his brother, Dana Rice of Sumterville, FL.

The funeral service will be held on Tuesday, December 31, 2024, at 12:30 PM at Shives Funeral Home, Trenholm Road Chapel, 7600 Trenholm Road Ext., Columbia, SC 29223. The family will receive friends from 11:30 AM until 12:30 PM prior to the service at the funeral home. Burial will be held at 2:00 pm in Fort Jackson National Cemetery, 4170 Percival Rd., Columbia, SC 29229.

Shives Funeral Home, Trenholm Road Chapel is assisting the family.