Royal Wagner Liscom

He was preceded in death by his wife, Marilyn Mabel Woker Liscom, his brother, William (Bill) Jr., two of his sons-in-law Dennis Brickey & Lawrence Bell and a grandson, Ryan Brickey. He is survived by his children, Susan Alice Bell, Mary Beth Griffo, Linda Ann (Rick) Turner, Rebecca Lee Brickey, David Royal (Toni) Liscom, Sandra Jean Vestal, and Angela Marie (Ken) Clayton. He also leaves behind 25 grandchildren and numerous great and great-great grandchildren.

Royal was in the Navy as an Electrician’s mate. He served in WWII in the Philippines. His ship carried supplies from large ships to the islands and back.

He married Marilyn Mabel Woker on Flag Day, June 14, 1947. Their love was solemnized in the Salt Lake Temple, on September 6, 1955, where he and his wife and four oldest children were sealed as a family for eternity.

They moved to Freeport, IL as their family grew. They moved for a better job opportunity to support the family in California. Royal moved around a lot, first in Illinois, then California, next Florida, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Texas, Tennessee, Georgia, and finally to Florida, where they spent their ‘golden’ years. The family is spread across the United States because of their children coming of age along the way.

Royal loved reading and always seemed to be amid a new book. He also spent hours on Jigsaw Puzzles. Until his eyesight faded from macular degeneration Royal loved to paint by numbers (many beautiful paintings still adorn the house). From the early 1950’s he enjoyed fishing and water skiing. He was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints for most of his life, and serving in callings, such as Bishop, High Councilor and High Priest Group leader, rendering service to others, teaching and sharing his talents and serving a mission with Marilyn in Oakland, California.

Bowling was another favorite. He played in leagues with Marilyn and won many trophies, while rolling a very fast curve ball that seemed to scare most of the pins down. He also played golf early on, but Putt-Putt golf was his go to “sport” for much of his later life. One of his great joys was playing games with his family. The competition was fierce, but good-hearted as the battles raged and conversation drifted from topic to topic. It was great family times together that so many will remember.

He and Marilyn loved their family and created ways to spend time together. One of the most memorable was the annual trip to Fontana Village where each family got a cabin, or tent and spent their days enjoying each other’s company. Whether swimming in the pools, going out on the lake in their boat to ride tubes, water ski or go fishing, going down the waterslide, playing endless games of miniature golf, shuffleboard, dominos or card games; there was always something to do.

Royal’s professional career as an Electrical Engineering Quality Control Engineer led him to the many interesting locations that he lived in. During his tenure of work, he supported the Apollo missions (including the one to the moon), worked on Nuclear Power Plants (notably 3-Mile Island) and worked for the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA).

His was a life filled with love, faith and family. He always wanted to make it to 100 years old, and he did earlier this year. His 100th birthday was an epic event and well-loved by all who attended. Royal said that it was his best birthday ever!

He will be missed by those who loved him here but he was certainly met by so many loved ones who were waiting with open arms on the other side. How joyful that reunion must have been!