Obituary of Roy Bruce Ator

Roy Bruce Ator, 89 passed away at his daughter, Vera’s home in Far Hills, New Jersey on Sunday, October 20, 2019.

Visitation will be 4-7pm on Thursday, October 24, 2019 at Kirk, Huggins and Esterdahl Funeral Home in Orion, Illinois. Funeral services will be held at 2:30 PM Saturday, October 26 at Lummis Funeral Home in Pleasant Hill, Illinois with visitation preceding at 1 PM. Burial will follow at Crescent Heights Cemetery in Pleasant Hill.

Roy was born on September 21, 1930, the son of Smith and Vera (Davis) Ator. He graduated from Pleasant Hill High School in 1948 and served in the Military Police during the Korean War. He married Carolyn Webster in Pittsfield, Illinois on October 15, 1955.

Moving to Orion, Illinois in 1957, Roy and his brother Dean owned and operated Ator Brothers Body Shop and later Ator Brothers, Inc. along with wrecker service for 17 years. Later he ran Roy Ator Truck Services.

Roy was very proud of his children and grandchildren and enjoyed traveling to and with them. He took his family west to the National Parks for several years and later enjoyed travel to the Southeast. Roy was a wonderful father and a good friend and businessman. He was a longtime member of the Orion United Methodist Church serving on several committees including the Building Committee.

Survivors include his wife of 64 years, Carolyn, daughter Vera (Peter) McAvoy of Far Hills, New Jersey, son Steven (Jennifer) Ator of Danville, Illinois;  his grandchildren, Kelly (Nick)Oliver, Holly Dobbins, Chase (Jamie) Wilson, Adam Leeper, Garrett Ator, Madison Ator,  Ian McAvoy, Harrison (Kelly) McAvoy, Meaghan McAvoy, Conor McAvoy and his great grandchildren Dillan, Autumn, Logan, Kaycie, Gavin, Grace and Evie; brother Dean Ator and sister Sherry Hawley.

He was preceded in death by his parents and son Robert.

Memorials may be made to the Orion United Methodist Church or the Crescent Heights Cemetery, Pleasant Hill.