SKOWHEGAN — Roland Royce Wilcox, 71, of Phillips and Farmington went home to the Lord on Feb. 1, 2010 in Skowhegan due to a long illness.

He was born in Avon on Nov. 14, 1938 to Clifford R. and Phobe (Ross) Wilcox.

He is survived by his wife, of 49 years Joyce Wilcox- Lovejoy of Phillips and Kingfield; a sister, Donna Heath and her husband, Kendall, of Phillips; a brother, Nolan Wilcox and his wife, Lena, of North Carolina; a son, Terry Wilcox and his wife, Pat, of Avon; a daughter, Sherry Gray and her husband, Stan, of Skowhegan; two grandsons, Tyler and Austin Gray.

He was married to his loving wife, Joyce, in 1960 in Kingfield. He was educated in the schools of Phillips and Kingfield where he graduated in 1959.

In his early years he was employed by MJ Stinchfield Logging. Later he went on to be a Franklin County Sheriff for 24 years but was forced to retire due to illness in 1998. He was also the constable of Phillips for many years. He was also in the Army Reserves during the Korean War. He was a member of the American Legion Fairbanks post of Phillips. He enjoyed many activities such as hunting, fishing, camping, his grandbabies and most of all horseshoes for Northern Franklin Horseshoe Club.

He was predeceased by his mom and dad, Clifford and Phobe; and by three of his sisters, Hazel, Molly and Evelyn. He also had a best friend, his beloved dog named Bear-Bear who also passed away.

For donation information, please feel free to call Sherry at 474-3351, 14 Gilblair Street, Skowhegan ME 04976 or Terry at 639-2239.

We will also have a remembrance party in or around May 15, 2010, we will be sending out invitations closer to that date.

Arrangements under the care and direction of Dan & Scott’s Cremation & Funeral Service, 445 Waterville Road, Skowhegan.