Gillyon, Roy B. on Saturday, February 20, 2021.
Funeral at Kutis South County Chapel, 5255 Lemay Ferry Rd, on Friday, February 26, 7 p.m. with all services concluding at Kutis. Interment Private.
PER ROY’S WISHES NO FLOWERS PLEASE, INSTEAD DONATIONS TO AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY APPRECIATED.
We were friends for over 40 years. Unfortunately, for whatever reason, we had lost contact since Jan 10, 2019 and I had hoped and prayed that we would salvage our friendship. This is so devastating as I didn’t know, but suspected, anything was wrong. I loved Roy like a brother.
To my cousin Roy
Thanks for some good memories when growing up. Loved the Browns games at old Sportsman Park. Enjoyed my overnights in South St Louis. Later on I enjoyed our lunches with Stormy Steve and the rest of the gang. Glad we talked before you left us.
Roy Gillyon, a good Christian, was a man of impressive intellect talent and interests. He completed PhD studies in Geography T U of Michigan and Oklahoma, served in the Army in Germany, enjoyed opera and possessed a booming baritone singing voice. His interest in and love of family were anchors in his life.
Not least he was a strong Cardinal fan and a student and a true St. Louisan.
Rest In Peace Roy
I was saddened to hear about Roy’s passing. He was a wonderful person with a lot of varied interests and talents. He was a lot of fun to be around and will be missed by many.
We will never get to finish our discussions on family history, stories about you and my dad growing up, and your army stories. But your sense of urgency got so much information to us in such a short amount of time. Just 2 weeks. Still so much I could have learned. When you started getting down, all we had to do was bring up some political news or talk about the rover getting ready to land on Mars, and you would light up with excitement. We will treasure all the time you gave us. You did so much for our Gillyon family. You are greatly missed and forever loved Uncle Roy.
To my dear Godfather, Roy. I know we didn’t spend a lot of time together over the years, but I was proud to call you “Godfather” and will miss you. I will also remember fondly the times Julie and I ran into you at Busch Stadium and the old Trans-World aka Edward Jones Dome while you were working. Good times! Rest in peace, Roy.
It was such a joy and a privilege to know and sing with Roy for lo these
many years with our German chorus. Our love for our faith and of all things
St. Louis merely touched the surface. Yet another part of me has left this earth
for the next life. Roy, the peace and happiness you now have surpasses all human
understanding. Pray for us all, dear friend. So long, for just a while!
Roy worked at the Old Courthouse and Gateway Arch in the 1960s and was still there in early 1972 when I started. We have been friends ever since. We shared a passion for Saint Louis and the park history and the people who worked there in those early years. I think his favorite people to talk about was William Clark Adreon, Donald Sappington and the man who designed the Arch transportation system, Dick Bowser. Donald, we have tried to find you and your sister Joanne who also worked with us at the park. Would either of you please contact me to give you his memories of you.
Roy is the only person I know who was able to ride on the outside leg of the Arch elevator that the construction workers rode up to a platform where they could continue working on the Arch, after it was completed in 1965, before the elevator was taken down. The early employees were given a choice to either stand on the very top outside of the Arch where the airplane warning light is or take that outside elevator ride up. Roy said he was petrified but always grateful to be able to have done it.
My last outing with Roy what’s taking the Riverboat ride on the Mississippi last year before winter came. None stop reminiscing. Our last time together was February 7th, as we gazed out his huge window on St. Louis, and he gave me a painting he purchased at the Arch years ago called Early Morning Fog. That’s Roy, still passing on that St Louis history and giving me a connection I’m seeing you every time I see the painting. Thank you for being my friend Roy. I love you. From Nancy.
I am very sorry to learn of Roy’ passing. He was a true gentleman and
scholar. I first met him as a fellow Geography major at St. Louis U. I was also fortunate enough to have him as a student in my class. Roy and I both were fortunate enough to to work for the National Park Service at the Gateway Arch. He very intelligent, eager to learn, honest, loyal and caring. I have often shared his caring for Dr. Bert McCarthy as a wonderful example of friendship and caring. I am sure Roy is happy being with many friends and the God he loved.
I was an exchange Student from Germany in 1991 and Roy took me under his wing for a couple Werks. He took me to the German Männerchor and shoes me St. Louis.
We always stayed in contact and I invited him to Germany many times. Which unfortunately did not happen. I am sad to hear he passed away. He was a true friend and ‘German Landesmann’