Roy C. Stephens, age 81, died Monday, July 9, 2012, in Dalhart, Texas.

Graveside Services were held at 2:00 PM Friday, July 13, 2012, in the Clayton Memorial Cemetery with Rev. Rusty Hancock, pastor of Lincoln Street Baptist Church in Dalhart officiating.

Roy Cecil Stephens was born on December 22, 1930, five miles west of Dalhart, Texas, to Roy Stephens and Elsie (Walter) Stevens. He married Iona Kent on August 12, 1949, in Dalhart, Texas. Roy's father died when he was only three years old and he started working at an early age. He worked on a ranch near Rosebud, NM, for 11 years then worked 20 years as a bulldozer operator and for feedlots before he retired. Even after retirement he continued to be a bulldozer operator for another 10 years. In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by a son, Darrell Stephens who died at birth, a granddaughter, RaDonna Wilkerson, and a sister, Sue Parish.

SURVIVORS:

WIFE: Iona Stephens of Dalhart, Texas.

3 DAUGHTERS: Judy Wilkerson and her husband Dick of Edgemont, SD; Veleta Groll of Dalhart, Texas; and Carla Wilkerson and her husband Larry also of Dalhart, Texas.

8 GRANDCHILDREN: Chantil Wilkerson of Rapid City, SD; Holly Peterson and her husband Todd of Edgemont, SD; Todd Wilkerson of Dalhart, Texas; Amy Garner and her husband Kevin of Lubbock, Texas; Kristen Townsend of Oklahoma; Robert Wilkerson and his wife Melody of California; Brian Groll, in the military; and Gavin Groll of Dalhart, TX.

10 GREAT-GRANDCHILDREN: Chance Hamilton of Rapid City, SD; Maddie Belle Peterson of Edgemont, SD; Hayden, Hanna, and Ethan Wilkerson of Dalhart, TX; Harley and Dax Garner of Lubbock, TX; Justin Wilkerson, in the military, Travis Townsend and Cassie Wilkerson of California.

His Aunt: Helen Stephens of Clayton, NM.

His Brothers & Sisters-In-Law: Dale Kent and his wife Sylvia of Pueblo, CO; Joy Tweedy and her husband Larry of Wiggins, CO; Robbie Wills of Pueblo, CO; and Cheryl Hanratty and her husband Danny of Beulah, CO.

And many Nieces and Nephews.