Royce Niel Walker

Royce Niel Walker, age 54, passed away surrounded by family in Bozeman, Montana, on February 18, 2025, after a brief illness. Royce was born on July 12th, 1970, in Havre, Montana to George and Betty (Annis) Walker. He was raised on the family farm in Hogeland, Montana. He graduated from Turner High School in 1988.

Royce began doing odd jobs for Fred Mohar, Sr at the age of 10 years old. After high school, Royce worked for the Fred Mohar, Jr. family ranch for 5 years before moving to Bozeman to be closer to his sweetheart Susan Boardman while she attended Montana State University. During that time, Royce worked at Todd's dairy farm off Norris Road for 3 years before taking his first position with the Harrington Pepsi Company 29 years ago in April 1996. He began as a route driver, quickly moving into management as warehouse manager. The majority of his career was spent as service manager in the Bozeman market, traveling many miles and enjoying working with Pepsi's many customers that he considered friends. In the last couple years, he was overseeing the service departments in all of Harrington Pepsi's markets and was promoted to General Manager of Golden West Vending, a subsidiary of Harrington Bottling. Working for Pepsi, he is known from Butte to Yellowstone National Park, from Helena to Missoula, and beyond. He was Pepsi's contact with Montana State University for years, making many friends there and beginning his love for the Bobcats.

Royce and Susan married on July 30, 1994 in Havre. In July 2024 they celebrated their 30 year anniversary. They were blessed with 3 wonderful children: Chance Niel in 1998, Fallon Quinn in 2000, and Rhiannon Merai in 2004. Royce was the most amazing of fathers. He adored his children and would move mountains for his family. Even though he was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes at the age of 13, he never let it stop him from coaching Chance in baseball or overcoming his fear of the stage and dancing with his daughters and other dance dads in father/daughter dances. He was very involved in all his children's activities over the years, cheering on not only his own children, but all the kids, many of which he treated as if they were his own. He coached and served on the Belgrade Baseball board and continued to volunteer and keep score long after his own child had graduated. Royce was also active in events with Tanya's Dance Company, where his girls competitively danced and taught classes for the last 21 years. He coordinated concession fundraising at MSU, where he taught countless dancers to work hard, provide excellent customer service, and how to count back change. Royce never missed a band or choir concert, robotics challenge, sporting event, figure skating competition, or dance recital.

Other than spending time with family, one of Royce's greatest joys was to be out on Canyon Ferry Lake searching for walleye. Some of his most content moments were spent on the water and camping on the shore. Royce loved cheering on the Bobcats and attended nearly every volleyball, men's and women's basketball, and football game. He enjoyed traveling to away games and went to Frisco this year for the National Championship. Royce never met a stranger and had countless friends. He especially enjoyed spending time with a close group who attended Rockin' the Rivers together for 20 years. These friends were family to Royce and he loved traveling to the Caribbean, camping, fishing, and just spending time with them.

Royce is survived by his loving wife Susan, children Chance (Karen) Walker, Fallon Walker, and Rhiannon (Jamus) Walker, "adopted" son Gus (Hannah) Hurtgen, parents George and Betty Walker, mother-in-law Nora Boardman, brother Wayd (Sheila) Walker, sister Mindy Walker, and numerous extended family members. He was preceded in death by his grandparents, Lawrence & Christina (Frank) Walker, Penny (Rucinsky) Walker, Alton and Orla (Lott) Annis, and several aunts, uncles, and cousins.

Royce was a devoted, loving husband, father, son, son-in-law, brother, cousin, uncle and friend. He touched the lives of so many. He was a jack-of-all-trades that could fix anything, drive 18-wheelers, work with animals, yet was still compassionate enough to help anyone around him that was in need. He has left behind him a legacy that will be hard to match. We will keep him in our hearts forever.

In his Senior yearbook at the age of 17, Royce gave great advice that he would want us all to remember: "Life isn't a toy, so live life seriously, take what comes and make the best of it, cause your life is important not only to you but to the people who love you."

A Celebration of Life for Royce will be held on Thursday, February 27th, 2025, at 1:00 PM at Calvary Chapel, 2270 Boot Hill Court, Bozeman, Montana. The family plans to hold a memorial in the Hogeland/Turner area at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Tanya's Dance Company, 10 Evergreen Drive, Suite E, Bozeman, MT, 59715 to establish a future dance scholarship; or to The Bobcat Collective in Royce's name, at https://bobcatcollective.com/roycewalker/. Go CATS!