Bethany, MO: Royce Eldon Smith, 85, Bethany, MO passed away Tuesday, February 11, 2020 at a Liberty, MO hospital.
He was born on February 8, 1935 to Manford and Myrtle (Baker) Smith in Martinsville, Missouri. He had three older sisters: Evelyn, Virginia, and Dolores. Evelyn and Virginia preceded him in death along with his parents.
He attended Muddy Valley School and graduated from Martinsville High School in 1953. In 1955, he married Coleen Fish. She survives of the home. Royce worked at MODOT for 33 years while farming with the help of his wife and children and in later years with special friends, Lila and Maurice Craig.
He loved the outdoors, his family, his cattle, country music, and a good joke. He could relate to people and the events of the old days. He loved singing and would play guitar until blisters formed on his fingers.
Royce is also survived by his children, Lutricia (Bill) Collins of Eagleville, MO, Kelly (Billie) Smith of Kellerton, IA and Lorrie (Dave) Baker of Liberty, MO; special nephew, Leland (Amy) Donner of Martinsville; 9 grandchildren; 14 great grandchildren; one great-great grandchild; two step grandchildren and a sister, Dolores (Gayle) Hook, Kansas City, MO. Funeral Services will be held at 11:00 am. Friday, February 14 at Roberson Funeral Home, Bethany, MO. Burial will follow in Miriam Cemetery, Bethany, MO. The family will receive friends from 9:30-11:00 a.m. Friday at the funeral home. Memorials may be made to Miriam Cemetery in care of Roberson Funeral Home, P.O. Box 46, Bethany, MO 64424. Online condolences may be left at www.robersonfuneralhome.com