05/28/2024

Roy Owen Shay

Roy Owen Shay born November 8th, 1936, to Frank and Viola Shay in Amber, Oklahoma. Roy graduated from Gupton-Jones Mortuary School in 1958 where he met the love of his life, Daisy Montgomery. They married on December 27th,1959, and moved to Guthrie, Oklahoma where he began his career at Smith Funeral Home. Roy and Daisy moved to Bethany, Oklahoma in 1960 where he began working for Bill Merritt Funeral Service, and in 1963 they welcomed their first child Michael Owen, and subsequently in 1965 their daughter Karla Suzanne.

In 1967 Roy changed careers briefly into pharmaceutical sales for Warren-Teed Pharmaceuticals in McAlester, Oklahoma where he soared to #1 in sales for the company within a year’s time. Roy and Daisy moved back to Bethany, Oklahoma in 1969 where he returned to Bill Merritt Funeral Service. Roy’s long-term passion in gardening was fulfilled in 1979 when he purchased a farm and garden store, Roy Shay’s Ervin Farm Store. For 15 years he built a business that thrived and one that he greatly loved. He sold his successful business in 1994 and chose to go to work for the Oklahoma County Sheriff's Department as an undersheriff. After leaving the sheriff’s department he once again found himself working for Bill Merritt Funeral Service until 2001 when his retirement began.

In his spare time, he loved the hobby of refurbishing and refinishing antiques and collectibles while continuing to work part time at the funeral home. Roy won his long-fought health battle gaining his eternal home on May 8th, 2024, surrounded by his family.

Roy is survived by his wife Daisy; son Mike and wife Shawnnessy, daughter Karla and husband Billy; grandchildren Jordan and wife Kasi, Brandon and wife Rein, Brianna and husband Foster, Bryce and wife Abbigail, Annamarie, and Samantha and husband Jacob; great grandchildren Kory, Adi, Esther and Eden; brother James Shay, Donny Richards and Debbie Shay; many nieces, nephews, friends and family.

Serving as pallbearers are Michael Owen Shay, Jordan Richards, Bryce Owen Shay, Foster Davis, Billy Hamman, Jacob Murphy Courtney and Kory Draper-Whitener.

Family visitation will be held 3:00 p.m. until 5:00 p.m. Sunday, May 12, 2024, at Bill Merritt Funeral Service-Bethany. Services to celebrate Roy’s life will be help 2:00 p, m. Monday, May 13, 2024, at Fellowship at Western Oak with interment to follow at Chapel Hill Memorial Gardens.