Billy D. Roycroft

Services for Billy Dean Roycroft, 76, of Longview, will be held on Sunday, July 16, 2017, at 2:30 pm at Stewart Family Funeral Home in Tyler with Rev. Ted White officiating. Burial will follow at Walnut Grove Cemetery near Whitehouse. Mr. Roycroft was called to his eternal home on Tuesday, July 11, 2017, in Longview. He was born on September 5, 1940, in the Walnut Grove Community to James Clinton and Agnes Dark Roycroft. He was a graduate of John Tyler High School and Tyler Junior College. While still in high school, Billy enlisted in the Texas National Guard, 49th Armored Division, and was called to active duty with the Army in 1961 during the Berlin Crisis. He worked in the industrial supply field and retired from Motion Industries in Longview in 2002. Billy loved God, his family, and his community. He was a member of Little Flock Baptist Church in Longview and worked several years with the Kiwanis Club. Billy was a loving and patient husband and father. He especially enjoyed being a Dad to his son Brent and coached Brent's childhood soccer and t-ball teams. As a proud father, Billy attended every one of Brent's events and activities from kindergarten through college, whether on the field or in the music hall and even learned to appreciate a little opera. He enjoyed family history and loved to attend family reunions. Billy was a lifelong football fan and for many years covered small East Texas high school teams for local newspapers just because of the love of the game. When health issues restricted his activities, he developed a love for Nascar and spent his last years enthusiastically viewing football and car racing and listening to his favorite music. He faced his health challenges with courage and a positive attitude and he fought the good fight. He was preceded In death by his parents and is survived by his loving family, wife Linda Mills Roycroft, whom he married on July 1, 1960, son Brent and his wife Cindy, two grandchildren, Tyler and Willow, two brothers and a sister: Fred (Pat), Ronny (Marilyn), and Peggy Roycroft Lusk, and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. Nephews will serve as pallbearers. Visitation is scheduled for one hour prior to the funeral on Sunday, 1:30 to 2:30, at Stewart Family Funeral Home, 7525 Old Jacksonville Highway, in Tyler. If desired, memorials may be made to the Walnut Grove Cemetery Association, 20846 CR 115, Tyler, TX 75703.

Billy D. Roycroft

September 5, 1940 - July 11, 2017