Jay Emerson Royce, 76, passed away Monday, November 18, 2024 at Comanche County Hospital in Coldwater, KS.  Born April 15, 1948 in Houston, TX, he was the son of Fred Harry Royce, Sr. and Irlene Elizabeth (Powell) Royce.

Jay graduated from Jesse Jones High School in Houston, TX in 1966 and attended the University of Houston.  He was a veteran of the Vietnam War, serving in the U.S. Army from 1967-1971.

A resident of Wilmore, KS, Jay was a Foreman for Royce Tower Service in Houston, TX and a Maintenance Engineer at UTMB in Galveston, TX during his life.  He attended Wilmore Federated Church in Wilmore, KS.  He was an avid outdoorsman and enjoyed hunting and fishing.

On March 16, 1967, he married Geneta Beth Meador in Houston, TX.  She preceded him in death on March 1, 2008.

On June 7, 2014, he married Joni Linda Merrill at Coldwater, KS.  She survives.

He is survived by his wife: Joni Royce of Wilmore, KS; four children: J.R. Royce (Shannon) of De Berry, TX, Jim Royce (Danielle) of Huntsville, TX, Jared Ellson (Charise) of Fordyce, AR, and Nicki McMoran (Ed) of Coldwater, KS; two brothers: Freddie Royce, Jr. (Sheryl) of Honolulu, HI and Ray Royce (Linda) of Port Bolivar, TX; his mother-in-law: Betty Merrill of Vancouver, WA; numerous grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren.

In addition to his wife, he was preceded in death by his parents and his father-in-law: Jack Merrill.

Celebration of Life Service will be held at 10:30 a.m., Friday, November 22, 2024 at Wilmore Community Center in Wilmore, KS with Greg Waters presiding.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to Wilmore Federated Church or Wilmore Community Center in care of Hatfield-Prusa Funeral Home, P.O. Box 417, Coldwater, KS 67029.