Ken Rice was born in Attapulgus, Georgia on September 14, 1939, and moved to Bainbridge before high school.

At Bainbridge High School, Rice played football, basketball, baseball, and took part in track and field.

[1] Rice attended Auburn University from 1957 to 1960, playing for the Tigers on both the offensive and defensive lines.

[5] Rice resided in Big Canoe, Georgia, where he had been involved in real estate development since the early 1970s.

[3][10][11] Rice met Billie Ann Perrin while attending Auburn and the two married on June 20, 1959.