Rice authored four books on Christian living and served as president of Christian Camping International/USA, vice president of the South Carolina Baptist Convention, president of the South Carolina Baptist Brotherhood, chairman of trustees of Anderson College, and member of the Executive Board of the South Carolina Baptist Convention. He served as executive director and principal Bible teacher at the retreat center for 30 years.
In 1965, he and his wife, Vivian, founded Look-Up Lodge near Travelers Rest. In 1960, in order to devote himself to full-time Christian ministry, he resigned his vice presidency and sold his interest in Rice Mills. Air Force, and went on to become vice president of a family business, Rice Mills.
He graduated from Furman University in 1949, served in the U.S.