December 9, 1946 - May 17, 2017

Roy L. Spaulding III, Rusty to his closest friends, died on May 17, 2017 after an extended illness. He was born December 9, 1946 in Helena to Josephine and Roy L. Spaulding, Jr. He graduated from Helena High School in 1965. Roy joined the U.S. Naval Reserve in 1964 and upon graduation from high school served in the Far East with the U.S. 7th Fleet as a Sonar Technician. Upon completion of active duty he returned to Montana where he attended the University of Montana. He received a Bachelor’s Degree in Economics in 1972.

While attending the University of Montana, he met his one true love, Joy Johanson. They were married in December, 1972. While living in Idaho, their daughter, Kelly, was born. The family moved to Helena in 1982.

Roy opened a home inspection business in 1991 after completing several years as an Industrial Tax Appraiser for the State of Montana.  In 1994, he and Joy formed a successful business partnership selling real estate for 18 years until he retired in 2012.

Roy was a fifth generation Helenan and a descendent of Valentine Priest, who established the toll road of the same name near Helena. He played the guitar, played chess, loved the outdoors and wildlife, driving in the hills, hunting and fly fishing. He built graphite and bamboo fly rods and tied his own flies (a skill he learned from his father). As a craftsman/artist, he also excelled in remodeling homes building fireplace mantles, bookcases and cabinets in all of the homes he and Joy lived in.

He will be greatly missed by his friends, who appreciated his sense of humor and wisdom. A friend said whether one agreed with him or not, he had an inquiring mind and always welcomed a lively discussion. He was a man of integrity and a loyal friend who set a high standard for himself as well as those around him. He loved his family deeply and wanted to leave this life knowing he had done everything possible for his family, including the grandsons he helped raise.

Roy was preceded in death by his parents, Josephine Schrader Spaulding and Roy L. Spaulding, Jr. He is survived by his wife of 44 years, Joy; daughter, Kelly Newman; grandsons, Casey, Josiah and Austin Newman; brother, Richard Spaulding (Christine Schebly); and sister, Susan Vandiver (Del).

Cremation has taken place. At Roy’s request, a private service and burial will be held at the Montana Veterans Cemetery at a later date. Memorials may be addressed to the Helena Food Share or the Lewis and Clark Humane Society.

Printed in the Helena Independent Record on May 24, 2017

http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GSln=spaulding&GSfn=roy&GSmn=lee&GSbyrel=all&GSdyrel=all&GSob=n&GRid=179651385&df=all&