Royal Watts Banta

Royal (Roy) W. Banta Jr., age 90, of Nixa passed away Thursday, March 13, 2014. Roy was born in Cheyenne, WY June 23, 1923, to Royal Watts Banta Sr. and Margaret Bell (Stifler) Banta. Roy enlisted in the Navy the day after the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor. Roy served on the USS Mulberry as a boatswain's mate 2nd class in the Asiatic-Pacific area. After World War II, Roy went to work for New York Central Railroad and later with Missouri Pacific Railroad, which later merged with Union Pacific Railroad. Roy retired from the railroad after 37 years as an electrician. Roy was a private person, but had a smile that would light up the room. Roy was a nature lover who always en� joyed feeding and watching the birds. He loved his dog Rusty, who always brought a smile to his face. Roy was a Cardinal's baseball fan and really enjoyed watching their games. Roy loved to make rhymes, and has written a few poems. Roy is survived by his daughter Margaret Gilles and her husband Mark, of Nixa and a stepson Harold King and fianc�e Vickie Short, of St. Clair; a brother Denis Banta, of Steelville; and two step grandchildren, Angie Lithgow and her husband Tom, of Rogers, MN, Brian Gilles, of Montrose, MN; five step great grandchildren, Kyle and Matthew Lithgow, Campbell and Eli Gilles, and Kaylee Chmiel; and several nieces and nephews. Roy is preceded in death by his parents, and a sister Nadine Durham. Memorial Donations in lieu of flowers may be made to the Disabled American Veterans. Funeral services for Roy Banta will be at 12:30 P.M, Tuesday, March 18, 2014, in Adams Funeral Home, Nixa. A visitation will be from 11:30 A.M. to 12:20 P.M, preceding the funeral. Burial with full military honors will be at the Missouri Veterans Cemetery, Springfield.