Royce Allan Stanford Sr.

Royce Allan Stanford Sr., age 86, of Bryant, Arkansas, went to be with his Lord on March 23, 2019. He was born on September 12, 1932 in Pepperell, Alabama to C.W. and Bessie (Leverette) Stanford. He grew up in the tight-knit mill village of Pepperell where he made relationships and memories which he spent his lifetime recalling with great fondness. He graduated from Clift High School in Opelika, Alabama in 1950 and Auburn University in 1954. Afterwards, he served as a Lieutenant in the U.S. Army. He worked as a chemical engineer and spent his career in the wood products industry. He retired in 1990 as a Senior Vice President for the Weyerhaeuser Corporation. Royce married Martha Vann Lee on August 9, 1953. Together they had three children and lived all over the United States, making lifelong friends wherever they went. Royce will be remembered for his quiet, steadfast love and devotion to his family. He was a hard-working, conscientious, and well-respected friend to many. He is survived by his wife of 65 years, Martha. He was a beloved father to Allan (Cindy) Stanford Jr., Julie Stanford, and Joe Stanford, and much-cherished "Pap" to his grandchildren: Jason (Lindsay) Gornto, Mary Beth Stanford (Casey) Picker, Jill Gornto (Donald) Raymond, Allan (Lindsay) Stanford III, Bill (Mei-Lyn) Stanford, Mihaela Stanford, and 16 great-grandchildren. The family would like to express their thanks to Mrs. JoJeana Allen for her tireless and loving care of Royce, and to the congregation at Indian Springs Baptist Church, Bryant, Arkansas, their home church, for their constant support and encouragement. A memorial service will be held on Friday, March 29th at 11 a.m. at Pepperell Baptist Church in Opelika, Alabama. Visitation with the family will be beforehand at 10 a.m. at the church. The family will hold a private, graveside service. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to be made to the Alzheimer's Association or other benevolent organizations.