Hiawatha (Joe) Rice of Crawley, West Virginia passed away on the morning of November 19, 2018 as the sun rose on opening day of deer season.

Born in Covington, Virginia on December 15, 1934, he was the youngest son of the late William Lee and Nellie Rea Rice.

Joe was an outstanding baseball and softball player, proud Army veteran, retired coal miner, farmer, and lover of the woods and water.

Heaven for him was a good day in the woods or time on his boat, fishing pole in hand. He was a father figure to many of his children's friends and an adopted grandpa to Rebecca (Michael) DeHaven of Hedgesville, West Virginia and Caroline (Eric) Thorne of Troutville, Virginia.

Joe is survived by his feisty wife of 52 years, Lula; daughters, Patricia (Wesley) Bryant of Greenwood, IN and Terri (Mike) Reynolds of Frankford, WV; his bud and much loved granddaughter and the person who dubbed him Poppa Joe, Sydney Bryant, of Maxwelton, WV; brother, Darfow Rice of Covington, Virginia; and a host of nieces and nephews.

In addition to his parents, Joe was preceded in death by his brothers, Russell Lee and Oliver Ray Rice.

Memorial contributions may be made to Hunters Helping the Hungry-WV Division of Natural Resources, 163 Wildlife Road, French Creek, WV 26218.

Take a child fishing, adopt an old dog, spend happy hours in the woods, or help someone down on their luck. And always say I love you to the people that mean the most to you. There is no better way to remember him. "How lucky am I to have something that makes saying goodbye so hard” - Winnie the Pooh.

Arrangements are being handled by Loving Funeral Home; www.lovingfuneralhome1913.com.