Clarence W. "C.W." Rice Jr., age 78, of Elizabethton, Tenn., passed away on Wednesday, Sept. 2, 2015, at his residence, following a brief illness. C.W. was born in Collinsville, a son of the late Clarence Walker Rice Sr. and Carrie Pierce Rice. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by one brother, Paul Rice, and two sisters, Mary Frances Crabtree and Jean Renkin. Mr. Rice was a United States Air Force veteran and had worked as a senior operator for Colonial Pipeline Company and was of the Baptist faith. He enjoyed watching motorcycle racing and also riding motorcycles. He liked watching NASCAR, but most of all he loved life and being around people, as his family and friends were so very special to him. Survivors include his wife of 55 years, Julia Barmer Rice; one son, C.W. Rice of Dallas, Texas; two daughters, Lisa Stone and husband, Fred, of McCalla, Ala., and Melanie Rice of Elizabethton, Tenn.; nine grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; and several nieces, nephews and cousins. A committal and inurnment service to honor and celebrate the life of Mr. Clarence W. "C.W." Rice Jr. will be conducted at 10 a.m. on Monday, Sept. 21, 2015, in the Mississippi Veteran's Memorial Cemetery in Newton. In lieu of flowers, the family would prefer donations to the American Diabetes Association, P.O. Box 11454, Alexandria, VA 22312; or by visiting the website at http://visiting donations.diabetes.org, in C.W.'s honor and memory. "Clarence said to tell all of his old friends......Bye" Online condolences may be shared with the family at our website, www.tetrickfuneralhome.com. Tetrick Funeral Home, Elizabethton, TN, is serving the Rice family.