Obituary for Roy Howard Bayliss
Roy Howard Bayliss, 83, known as Grandpa Roy to everyone that knew him, passed away peacefully on Christmas Eve, with his wife and son by his side.
Roy, son of Howard & Dorothy Bayliss, was born and grew up in Alma, MI. Upon his discharge from the U.S. Air Force, Grandpa Roy settled in Guadalajara, Mexico. While there, he met the love of his life, Rita Ortega. Despite not speaking the same language, they married after only 34 days and spent 57 amazing years together, setting a beautiful example of love and unity for their family and friends.
After moving from Mexico to California and finally settling in Blue Grass, Iowa, Grandpa Roy became the co-owner of Rich Metals.
Roy and Rita retired to Sheboygan, WI, to be with their son Mike, daughter-in-law, Elizabeth, and grandchildren, Brandon, Andrew, & Alexandra. During retirement, Grandpa Roy lived for his family, traveling the state and Midwest to watch his grandkids play sports. Everyone on the Wildcats, Sheboygan North basketball and tennis teams, Butler University tennis team, and UW-Whitewater tennis teams knew and loved Grandpa Roy. Thank you to everyone from those programs who have reached out to our family since his passing.
Over the past 16 months, Grandpa Roy’s first great grandson, Luke, brought an incredible amount of joy and laughter, providing a bright spot in his life after moving to Orlando, FL. Our family was blessed to have so many amazing memories and moments with Grandpa Roy right to the very end of his time. Grandpa Roy passed with no regrets, saying he wouldn’t change a single thing in his life. His legacy will live forever, especially through his unique sense of humor and the endless number of stories he told about his life and family.
Grandpa Roy is survived by his wife, Grandma Rita, his and our family’s heroine. She has been a rock of faith and strength through this tough time. He is also survived by his only son, Miguel (Mike), who was his world, his daughter-in-law, Elizabeth (Pahl), grandchildren, Brandon, Andrew, & Alexandra, granddaughters-in-law, JoAnna & Anna, great grandson, Luke, and his brother, Fred (Sharon). We would also like to thank the Pahl, Gosse, & Damkot families for inviting Grandpa Roy & Grandma Rita into their lives.
A special thanks to the team at the Neuro ICU unit at Florida Hospital Orlando. All of the doctors and nurses were amazingly kind and compassionate, especially Angel, who was truly an angel to our family.
A private memorial service will be held with immediate family. In lieu of flowers, we invite you to make a donation to the Wounded Warrior Project.
Grandpa Roy is a hero in every sense of the word. We will miss him so much, but we are so grateful to the multitude of family and friends who have reached out before and since his passing. His love of life touched so many, and we take comfort knowing he is at peace in Heaven.
Roy, son of Howard & Dorothy Bayliss, was born and grew up in Alma, MI. Upon his discharge from the U.S. Air Force, Grandpa Roy settled in Guadalajara, Mexico. While there, he met the love of his life, Rita Ortega. Despite not speaking the same language, they married after only 34 days and spent 57 amazing years together, setting a beautiful example of love and unity for their family and friends.
After moving from Mexico to California and finally settling in Blue Grass, Iowa, Grandpa Roy became the co-owner of Rich Metals.
Roy and Rita retired to Sheboygan, WI, to be with their son Mike, daughter-in-law, Elizabeth, and grandchildren, Brandon, Andrew, & Alexandra. During retirement, Grandpa Roy lived for his family, traveling the state and Midwest to watch his grandkids play sports. Everyone on the Wildcats, Sheboygan North basketball and tennis teams, Butler University tennis team, and UW-Whitewater tennis teams knew and loved Grandpa Roy. Thank you to everyone from those programs who have reached out to our family since his passing.
Over the past 16 months, Grandpa Roy’s first great grandson, Luke, brought an incredible amount of joy and laughter, providing a bright spot in his life after moving to Orlando, FL. Our family was blessed to have so many amazing memories and moments with Grandpa Roy right to the very end of his time. Grandpa Roy passed with no regrets, saying he wouldn’t change a single thing in his life. His legacy will live forever, especially through his unique sense of humor and the endless number of stories he told about his life and family.
Grandpa Roy is survived by his wife, Grandma Rita, his and our family’s heroine. She has been a rock of faith and strength through this tough time. He is also survived by his only son, Miguel (Mike), who was his world, his daughter-in-law, Elizabeth (Pahl), grandchildren, Brandon, Andrew, & Alexandra, granddaughters-in-law, JoAnna & Anna, great grandson, Luke, and his brother, Fred (Sharon). We would also like to thank the Pahl, Gosse, & Damkot families for inviting Grandpa Roy & Grandma Rita into their lives.
A special thanks to the team at the Neuro ICU unit at Florida Hospital Orlando. All of the doctors and nurses were amazingly kind and compassionate, especially Angel, who was truly an angel to our family.
A private memorial service will be held with immediate family. In lieu of flowers, we invite you to make a donation to the Wounded Warrior Project.
Grandpa Roy is a hero in every sense of the word. We will miss him so much, but we are so grateful to the multitude of family and friends who have reached out before and since his passing. His love of life touched so many, and we take comfort knowing he is at peace in Heaven.