William C. Royce

William C. Royce, 77, of Jaffrey died Wednesday May 18, 2016 after a brief illness with family members by his side.

He was born May 27, 1938 in Jaffrey, son of the late Harold C. and Mary F. (Smyth) Royce.
He was a 1956 graduate of Conant High School in Jaffrey and earned his Bachelors of Science degree in Forestry from UNH in 1960.

Following graduation Bill entered the United States Air Force as an officer and served from 1961 to 1967. He was based in Enid, OK, Fayetteville, NC and Anchorage, AK.

During his time in the military Bill trained to be a pilot and flew missions in Vietnam. Upon leaving the military he was employed by Eastern Airlines as a Pilot and Captain, based out of Logan Airport in Boston.

He had an avid interest in forestry, maple sugaring, bird watching, hunting and the history of the Monadnock Region. Bill took pride in producing many fresh vegetables every year in his large garden. He was also known for his woodpiles which many people would admire from the road but may not have realized that he hand cut and split 14 cords of wood each year by himself to heat his home.

For many years Bill had served the Town of Jaffrey as a member of the Jaffrey Historical Cemetery committee and also served the town as a volunteer firefighter.

Survivors include his wife of 55 years, Judith Mahoney Royce of Jaffrey; three daughters Holly R. Reich of Simi Valley, CA., Elizabeth R. Shotton of Troy, and Allison K. Royce of Jaffrey; two sisters Margaret Wenning of Madison Heights, VA and Marie Ruffle of Keene; his brother Kent Royce of Jaffrey; his eight grandchildren, Montana Royce, Dustin Reich, Zoe Reich, Luke Shotton, Mary Shotton, Leo Shotton, Garrett Heywood and Brett Heywood along with several nieces, nephews , cousins and close friends. Bill was a loving parent and grandparent who will be missed dearly by all who knew him.

In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by brothers Henry Royce of Liberty, SC and H. Charles Royce of Jaffrey.

Family and friends are warmly invited to calling hours on Wednesday, May 25 from 6:00 to 8:00PM at the Cournoyer Funeral Home and Cremation Center, 33 River Street (Route 202 south) in Jaffrey.

A private burial will be in the family lot in the Old Burial Ground, Jaffrey Center.

In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to either the Monadnock Humane Society 101 West Swanzey Road, Swanzey NH 03446 or to the SPNHF Royce- Monadnock Fund and sent to the Society for the Protection of N.H. Forests, 54 Portsmouth Street, Concord, NH 03301.