– Bryan Eugene “Cleve” Rice, 64, of Weaverville, NC, passed away on November 25th in Madisonville, Kentucky. Memorial service will be held at Brookstone Church in Weaverville on December 9th from 6-8pm.
Cleve was born in Buncombe County to Ruth and Marshall Rice on June 7th, 1957. He went to high school at North Buncombe High School and graduated in 1975. He served the citizens of Buncombe County as a police officer, firefighter, and sheriff’s deputy for a total of 33 years, retiring from Buncombe County Sheriff’s Office in July of 2014. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, and going to the lake with his family. He received the Asheville Optimist Club Award for his dedication and commitment to the community through public service while serving as the Battalion Chief at Weaverville Fire Department. Cleve also earned several Sheriff’s Accommodations while serving at the Buncombe County Sheriff’s Office.
Cleve is survived by his brother, Jerry Rice of Weaverville, wife Susan, and daughters Bridgette Huffman, Emily Brooks, and Haylee Rice. Family members, Dean and Jamie Hannah of Marshall, and children, Hunter, McKinley, and Graceyn. He is preceded in death by his mother and father, Ruth and Marshall Rice.