Roy Nelson Bess, age 90, of Caseyville, born March 15, 1928 in Cape Girardeau, Mo., passed away Saturday, September 8, 2018 at Barnes Hospital, St. Louis, Mo.

Roy grew up in Cape Girardeau and enlisted in the US Marines Corps in the midst of World War II. He was proud of his military service and always wore his WWII Veteran cap. After the war, Roy moved his family to the St. Louis area. He was employed by Materiel Management, and he retired as an Executive Officer in 1989 from the US Army Troop Support Command. It was at work where he met Linda, nee Woolverton; they had their first date over malts at Crown Candy Kitchen, and they married in 1988.

Roy was a charter member of the O'Fallon Band Boosters. He ran the all-volunteer "Bess Family Grass Cutting Service" in the O'Fallon area as his kids were growing up. He was often seen around the Christmas holidays as the Roller Skating Santa or at O'Fallon football games selling concessions. He enjoyed camping, chatting with friends (and strangers), and was crazy about his kids. He was much-loved by his family.

He was preceded in death by his parents Bert and Lily, nee Randall, Bess; his brother Joe and sister Lillian Kologa; step-children Shelley and Mark Asher; and his dogs Ginger and Barbie.

Surviving are his wife Linda; his children Ronald (Pua) Bess of Waldorf, Md., Richard Bess of O'Fallon, Randall (Vicki) Bess of Panama City Beach, Fla., Barbara (Ted) Cummings of Stem, N. C.; stepchildren Gregory Asher and Chad Asher, Sr.; brother Bert Bess; grandchildren Ryan Bess, Brian Bess, Lisa Dame, Brandie Lehrman; step-grandchildren Samantha, Mark, Chad, Jr., Derick, Shelley, and Chad Asher, and several great-grandchildren.

Memorial donations are suggested to AmVets, http://amvets.org/, and will also be accepted at the funeral home.

Visitation: The family will receive friends from 5:00 – 8:00 pm, Tuesday, September 11, 2018 at Wolfersberger Funeral Home, 102 W. Washington St., O'Fallon.

Funeral: Noon, Wednesday, September 12, 2018 at the funeral home, with Rev. Skip Leininger officiating. Burial with military honors will follow at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery, St. Louis, Mo.