William Royce Coats

William Royce Coats, affectionately known as Royce, passed away peacefully on August 19, 2026, at Hospice of Wichita Falls in Wichita Falls, Texas, at the age of 87. He was born on April 13, 1939, in Electra, Texas, and was a longtime resident of Holliday, Texas.

Royce graduated from Valley View High School in 1957, where he was an outstanding athlete and an All-Star football player. He carried his love of sports throughout his life, becoming an avid New York Yankees fan and a devoted Texas Longhorns supporter.

On March 24, 1958, Royce married the love of his life, Linda Crumpton. Together they built a beautiful life and raised three sons. They shared 66 happy years of marriage before Linda preceded him in death. Royce loved his wife, his children, his grandchildren, and his great-grandchildren and Jesus with all his heart. He was a man of few words, but those who knew him never had to wonder how much he loved them. His love was shown in the way he provided, worked hard, showed up, and made sure his family was taken care of.

Royce retired from the Times and Record News of Wichita Falls after 35 years of dedicated service. During his career, he received numerous achievement awards and was known as an exceptionally hardworking and dependable man. He was also, by all accounts, perhaps one of the most frugal men you could ever meet—and he was proud of it.

Family was at the center of Royce’s life. He especially looked forward to the Coats family reunions and treasured every opportunity to spend time together. He loved watching sports and had a particular talent for keeping up with every play without ever having to sit through a commercial. His remote control could move through the channels faster than most people could keep up with the game.

His love for the Texas Longhorns became an annual family tradition. Every summer, Royce looked forward to spending the entire week attending the Big 12 college baseball tournaments, proudly cheering on his Longhorns. Those trips and the memories made along the way were some of the highlights of his year.

Royce also loved deer hunting and spent countless weekends at the deer lease with his sons, friends, and later his grandsons. He took great pride in cooking every meal at the lease and making sure everyone was well fed and cared for. A cup of coffee in his hand and a toothpick in his mouth were two things that could almost always be counted on when Royce was around.

In his later years, Royce especially enjoyed the fellowship and many meals he shared at the Holliday Senior Citizens Center. He was a member of Holliday Baptist Church.

Royce leaves behind a legacy of hard work, devotion, quiet strength, and—above all—love for his family. Though he did not always say much, his family knew exactly where they stood in his heart. The countless memories made around the dinner table, at family reunions, at the deer lease, in the stands cheering for the Longhorns, and simply spending time together will be treasured for generations to come.

He is survived by his sons, Lynn Coats and wife Jana, and Kelly Coats and wife Pam; grandchildren, Kerstie Coats and fiancé Weston Schlumpf, Lexie Coats, Heather Hinson and husband Brandon, and Amanda Coats; great-grandchildren, Kason Coats, Karter Coats, Corleigh Nava, Tayde Beckham, and Taycelynn Hinson; brothers, Rex Coats and Don Coats; and numerous extended family members and friends who loved him dearly.

Royce was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Linda Coats; his parents, Henry and Eva Coats; his son, Jeff Coats; and his brother, Glen Coats.

A Visitation Service will be held at Dutton Funeral Home, 300 East Cash Street, Iowa Park, TX 76367, on August 25, 2026, from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm. A Graveside Service will be held at Holliday Cemetery, 611 E Olive St, Holliday, TX 76366, on August 26, 2026, at 10:00 am.

Royce was a hardworking man, a devoted husband and father, a proud grandfather and great-grandfather, a loyal friend, and a man who loved his family more than words could ever express. He will be deeply missed, but the love he gave and the memories he made will remain in the hearts of his family forever.

In lieu of flowers donations may be made to Holliday Senior Citizens Center or Hospice of Wichita Falls.