William G. Royce

William G. Royce SUNAPEE — William G. Royce (Bill, Billy, Grampy, B-Buck) passed away at Tufts Medical Center in Boston, Massachusetts, on Tuesday, Feb. 15, 2022, at the age of 57. Bill is survived by his life partner of 13 years, Cindy Couitt, and their shared children, Andrea and Joshua Stocker, Michael Cunningham and wife Melissa, and Jessica Stevens; his grandchildren, Ella, Noah, Cora, Zeke and Ezra Stocker, Logan Cormier, Mikey and Evelyn Cunningham, Quinton and Victoria Cloutier, all of New Hampshire. Also, his siblings, Russell Royce and wife Kathi, of Holly Hill, Florida, Jerry Royce and wife Pam, of Hereford, Arizona, Richard E. Royce and wife Janet, of Windsor, Vermont, Richard A. Royce and wife Kay, of Georgia, David Royce and wife Candy, of Claremont, New Hampshire, Donna Green and husband Raymond, of Springfield, Virginia, Bonnie Granger and husband Jim, of Easley, South Carolina, Betty Fisher and husband Dave, of Newport News, Virginia, Nancy J. Clayton, of Lempster, New Hampshire, Tom and Tina LaClair, of Charlestown, New Hampshire; as well as many nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews. Bill was preceded in death by his mother, Rachel Royce, 1998, of Claremont, New Hampshire; his brother-in-law, Ralph E. Clayton Sr., 2011, of Lempster, New Hampshire; his father, Elwin Royce, 2014, of Claremont, New Hampshire. Bill was born on Oct. 23, 1964, to foster parents, Elwin and Rachel Royce, of Claremont, New Hampshire, who then adopted him on Aug. 14, 1970. He graduated from Stevens High School in 1983. He worked for Sturm Ruger & Co. until the Sunapee school district found him in 2001, where he remained for 20+ years. Aside from his custodial duties, Mr. Royce was always available for the students during events like field day, Nature’s Classroom, yearly yard sale and winter activities, along with greeting students and providing rewards for those who earned them during the school day. He also devoted many hours to supporting and coaching the Sunapee athletic teams. Bill was nominated and named New Hampshire Southwest Region Champion for Children in 2020. Anyone who knew Bill, knew he was an avid outdoorsman. He favored his time in the woods, hunting, hiking, scouting, and collecting sheds. Bill often shared his passions, skills and knowledge with his grandchildren, friends or strangers he encountered. Throughout the years, he donated to and attended local wild game dinners. Mr. Royce could also be found volunteering at various school districts sharing the New Hampshire Fish and Game pelt kit with students, as well as his extensive expertise of the outdoors. During his off time, Bill enjoyed trips to Foxwoods with Cindy, camping trips to Maine with their children and grandchildren, gathering with family, including hunting with his brothers, Dave and Richard, and playing card games such as solitaire, mahjong and poker. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to either: Sunapee PTA, Sunapee Central Elementary School, 22 School St., Sunapee, NH 03782; Sunapee Booster Club, 10 North Road, Sunapee, NH 03782.