Roy Lee Wachter passed away peacefully at home with his children, son-in-law, and caregiver nearby on Tuesday, July 28, 2026. He was born in East St. Louis, IL, May 18, 1940, to Harry and Ruth (Smothers) Wachter. He was the oldest of 3 kids and is survived by his sister Nancy (Wachter) Kriewall. His beloved wife Nyla, brother Kenneth, and sister-in-law Wanda Wachter, brother-in-law Jim Kriewall, brothers-in-law Robert and Ronald Nelson, as well as nephew Michael Kriewall, preceded him in death. He is survived by his daughter Mary & her husband Jeff Hayes, daughter Melissa & her husband Cameron Dobson, as well as son Steve & his wife Stephanie Wachter. He is also survived by his sister-in-law Judy Nelson, brother-in-law Rich & his wife Ka Nelson, sister-in-law Norita & her husband Steve Cunningham, sister-in-law Nancy & her husband Jim Hopkins, and sister-in-law Kelly (Nelson) DeDecker. Additionally, he is survived by his grandchildren Vicki (Hayes) & David Erdely, Will & Amber Hayes, Brittany Dobson, McKenzie Dobson, Caleigh (Dobson) Smith & husband Josh Smith, Emily Wachter, Jakob Wachter, and Andrew Wachter. Finally, he is survived by great-grandchildren Addison & Cooper Smith, Henry Hayes, as well as numerous wonderful nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Roy graduated from Flora High School, Flora, IL, where he was active in football, basketball, and track. His coach called him "Twinkle Toes" as he loved to dance. He attended the University of Illinois and graduated with a bachelor’s degree in 1963 and went on to obtain a master’s degree in education from Indiana University. While attending U of I, he met the love of his life Nyla Kathleen Nelson at the Spudnut Donut shop. They were married on September 2, 1961, and he faithfully loved & cared for her for over 63 years until she passed on to heaven. Before becoming a schoolteacher, he worked for the US Forest Service in the State of Washington and served in active duty in the US Army, mainly in Arizona. While teaching he served in the US Army Reserve and drove a school bus. He was a science teacher at Washington High School for 36 years before retiring May 18, 1999. In addition to earth science and biology, he developed curriculum for a college prep anatomy and physiology class and was a professor at Vincennes University for a time. Roy coached the WHS boys’ tennis team for many years with a record of 110-73 before retiring in December 1987. His love for tennis was displayed in teaching summer tennis lessons for many years for the Washington Community Tennis Club and assisting the girls' tennis team after his retirement. He was a hard worker and devoted his life to public service including serving on the Indiana Teacher’s Credit Union Board and the alcoholic beverage commission. Roy was a member of Christ United Methodist Church, where he helped wrap presents for Jubilee Christmas and served with Feed My Sheep

Family, sports, traveling, humor, art, serving, dancing, and books were among his favorite things. He adored his kids, their spouses, the Nelson family, and everyone who married into the family. Each year, he would sponsor a family reunion to spend time with his kids and grandkids. He especially loved his grandchildren and attended many of their activities and graduations and hosting them during summer breaks. His love extended to his great-grandchildren most recently. Roy was active playing tennis, basketball, softball, pickleball, hiking, and riding bikes as often as he could. He enjoyed yoga, swimming and the weight room at the YMCA and would often ride bikes and go on walks with his wife, Nyla. Roy was known for his great sense of humor and love of talking and telling stories to people.

In retirement, Roy took full advantage of his extra time and expanded his skills to include painting nature scenes in both watercolors and oils, traveling with Nyla to many states across the continental US as well as Hawaii and authoring several books. He wrote several books, the most notable of which were Final Season, The Legend of the Blue Hole, and Camp Zodiac, which he turned into a live play for the Veal Creek Theatre. His start in book writing included the names of his grandkids as characters because he loved them and loved reading to them. Roy continued to serve by tutoring young people and mentoring fellow authors. He and Nyla also spent many wonderful hours at the Cherry Ghost Coffeehouse.

Roy and Nyla valued education and helped their children and grandchildren financially in their college and trade school goals. He inspired several of his grandchildren to love science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) curriculum, which heavily influenced their education and careers. Roy and his family are deeply grateful to all who helped care for him the last several years including the wonderful caregivers at Oak Ridge as well as Carmen, Carla, Carrie, Carolyn, and Katrina at home.

Visitation will be Saturday August 8, 2026, starting at 10 AM with service to follow at 12:30 PM at Goodwin-Sievers Funeral Home, 2020 State Street, Washington, IN, 47501. Internment with US Military Honors is to follow at Sugarland Memory Gardens, Hwy 57 N, Washington, IN 47501. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Daviess County YMCA Capital Campaign.