Royce V. Austin, 87, of Paris, Tennessee, died Tuesday, December 26, 2023, at AHC of Paris.
Royce was born Monday, May 4, 1936, in Eubank, Kentucky, to the late Troy Gaston Austin and the late Anna Lee Turner Cook.
He retired as a Master Sergeant from the U.S. Army, where he served in special forces. He was a very proud member of the Green Beret family.
Royce was very active in the local VFW, where he was a lifetime member. He was also a member of the Amvets and the American Legion where he served in various positions. He enjoyed fishing and playing guitar.
He was married Saturday, May 2, 1959, to Shirley Ann McCullar Austin, who preceded him in death Friday, June 23, 1995.
In addition to his parents and wife, he was also preceded in death by two sisters: Joyce Austin and Velma Austin; and two brothers: Charles Delane Austin and Robert Larry “Bobby” Austin.
He is survived by his son: Charles Michael Austin, of Germany; two sisters: JoAnne (Wes) Bossard, of Summerfield, Florida, and Marie (Jim) Wesley, of Metamora, Illinois; one brother: Melvin Austin, of New Castle, Indiana; and close friends, George and June Shankle.
Arrangements are being handled by Ridgeway Funeral Home, 201 Dunlap St, Paris, TN. Visitation will be Tuesday, January 2, 2024, from 4:00 pm – 6:00 pm at Ridgeway Funeral Home, with the funeral service beginning at 6:00 pm at Ridgeway Funeral Home with Chad Kennedy officiating.
Named as honorary pallbearers are all Royce’s friends at the VFW, American Legion, and the Amvets.
A graveside committal service & burial will be on Wednesday, January 3, 2024, at 1:00 pm at Love Joy Cemetery in Batesville, MS.