Willard E. "Pete" Royer 85 of Atwater died Thursday, January 9, 2014. He was born January 18, 1928 in Suffield to Charles E. and Anna M. (Kromer) Royer. He has lived in Atwater since 1941, a member of the Atwater Congregational Church since 1942, Masonic Charity Lodge #530, the Portage County Fireman's Association, Atwater Historical Society and served on the Atwater Fire Department for 39 years. Pete retired in 1986 from Goodyear Aerospace where he worked in maintenance and for the fire department. Following his retirement he went to work as a greeter for local funeral homes, with his last job being a greeter for Shorts Funeral Home. Survivors include his daughters Diana (Renan) Palma of Limaville and Brenda (Andrew) Vesa of Atwater, grandchildren Desarae Kleckner, Joshua Cutting and Trevor Ramsey, great grandchildren Zade and Harlie Kleckner and Brogan Ramsey and former wife Flora Sayers. He was preceded in death by his parents and brothers Howard and Frank. Calling hours will be from 10 AM to time of service at 12 noon on Saturday, January 11, 2014 at the Atwater Congregational Church with Pastor Rich Hall officiating. Burial will follow in Atwater Cemetery. In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to the Atwater Fire Fighters Association, PO Box 26, Atwater, OH 44201. The family wishes to thank the staff at Roselawn Gardens, Alliance Hospice for their care and support and Pastor Rich Hall.
