Merrill A. Rice, 82, of 924 Highway 248 South, husband of Evelyn DeLoach Rice, passed away Wednesday, November 16, 2011 at Hospice House. Born in Saluda, County, he was the son of the late Luther and Eva Hartzog Rice. Merrill was a U.S. Air Force Veteran having served during the Korea Conflict and retired from Greenwood Packing Plant. He was a member of the American Legion Ninety Six Post 103 and was a member of Ninety Six First Baptist Church where he was in the Jack Marshall Class. Surviving in addition to his wife of the home are a niece, Frances (Richard) Swearingen of Aiken; great nieces, Sonya (Frank) Bishop of North Augusta and Tonya Smith of Aiken; and great-great nieces and nephews, Justin Bishop, Courtney Bishop and Ariel Smith. He was preceded in death by two brothers, David Rice and Orvil Rice. Pallbearers will be Tommy Eddy, Bill Gardner, Charles Price, Neal Womack, Nevit Butler, Larry Jones and Everett Parker. Honorary escorts will be the members of the American Legion Post 103 and the members of the Jack Marshall Sunday School class. Memorials may be sent to Hospice House, 408 West Alexander Avenue, Greenwood, SC 29646 or to Ninety Six First Baptist Church Building Fund, PO Box 85, Ninety Six, SC 29666. The family is at the home.