Roy Lee Vanderbilt, a lifelong resident of Willow Springs, MO, passed away early Wednesday morning, January 1, 2020 while at his home. He was born December 8, 1940 to Dale Gaymon and Gladys (Keeler) Vanderbilt in Burnham, MO, and was 79 years old.
Roy attended the one room school at Pleasant Valley through the eighth grade. He worked briefly as head sawyer for a sawmill in Arkansas. He had his own cattle at a young age, and it was then that he discovered how much he enjoyed working with cattle. He went on to start his own dairy farm on the same property where he grew up near Willow Springs. It has been said that Roy loved his dairy cattle, and more importantly, he just simply loved to work. He remained self employed as a dairy farmer for sixty-one years before his retirement on July 5, 2019. He married Lola Raye Stone on September 12, 1958 in Salem, AR and to this union two sons were born. He and Lola were married forty-three years before her passing on April 2, 2002. He then married Shirley Wells on December 8, 2004. When Roy wasn’t working, he enjoyed fishing and woodworking. However, his favorite times were spent spoiling his grandchildren. He shared a special relationship with his great-grandson, Keegan. He will be greatly missed by his family, his friends, and all who knew him.
Roy is preceded in death by his parents, his wife, Lola, and a grandson, Daniel Vanderbilt.
He is survived by his sons: Jerry Vanderbilt and his wife, Debra, and Jackie Vanderbilt and his wife, Rose, all of Willow Springs; eleven grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren also survive. He is further survived by numerous nieces and nephews.
In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate donations to St. Jude Children’s Hospital or the USO, PO Box 96860, Washington, DC 20077-7677 and may be left at the funeral home.
A family night/visitation for Roy will be held on Monday, January 6, 2020 from 6:00 P.M. – 8:00 P.M. at Willow Funeral Home, LLC. Funeral services will be held Tuesday, January 7, 2020 at 11:00 A.M. at Burnham General Baptist Church with Rob Rakestraw officiating. Interment will follow at Epps Cemetery in Pomona, MO. Arrangements are under the direction of Willow Funeral Home, LLC. Online condolences may be left at www.willowspringsfuneralhome.com
