Brian W. Roy

Brian W. Roy “Coony”: Left this world for a better place on November 7, 2025 — from the VA

Hospital in Oklahoma City, OK, where he had been battling lung disease. Brian lived in Ponca City, OK at the time of his death.

Brian was born on November 21, 1946, in Berlin, New Hampshire, to Shirley (Hodgkins) Roy & Raoul M. Roy. The Roy’s divorced when Brian was quite young. Shirley later married Elbert “Scotty” Scott, and they had one daughter, Debra. Scotty raised Brian and his two siblings as his own. Brian married Bonnie (Childers) in 1965, and they had one son, Scott C. Roy, before the marriage ended in divorce.

Brian had joined the Navy as soon as he reached the age requirement. He served two terms during the Vietnam War, where he served on many types of vessels–Everything from a sub-tender to an aircraft carrier. One of his favorite stories was how he survived being “Shot down” while being helo-ed, from one vessel to another, not once, but “Twice! Brian worked in radiological control where he and his workmates were frequently “over exposed” causing many health problems for him later in life. He was also taught to be an excellent welder – as he was fond of saying, “he could weld anything anywhere - on land, on or under the sea”.

Brian never had a relationship with his father until after he joined the Navy, who located his father for a clearance level he needed. Once Brian was discharged, they shared his father’s location. Brian contacted his father, Raoul, and he later moved to Texas to be closer to his dad in 1974. They maintained a relationship until his father’s death in 1994.

After leaving the Navy, Brian had worked in many shipyards in Mississippi and Texas. In 1978, he went to work for Leak Repairs, Inc. and was sent to Ponca City, OK to open a branch office. He arrived in Ponca City on May 6, 1978. Ironically, the day he got there, he met his future wife, Diana Crawford, and they were married 5 months later, on October 6, 1978. The marriage lasted until his death, having celebrated their 47th wedding anniversary at the OKC VA Hospital in October.

Brian enjoyed golfing, bowling, fishing, and shooting pool. He was a fine artist who made wooden puzzles, ships in bottles, and designed wood art of many kinds, including the finishing of each with paints or stains. He was a smooth dancer with Diana at the bar they opened called Sweetwater’s in 1986, where they had many good times and friends were made. His favorite drinks were what he called “Ya know, “the green stuff, coffee, tea, and his NA beers". He was a “character” for sure, he enjoyed being around people, old country music, “7 Spanish Angels” being his favorite, and telling stories–especially to his granddaughters. He loved reading books, TV shows, and movies. In later years, he enjoyed bird watching and being visited by his Great-Grandchildren. He will definitely be missed by everyone who got the pleasure of meeting him. He would help anybody when he was able, and he was ornery as they come, and “then some”.

Brian is survived by his loving wife, Diana, “his little round woman”, two stepdaughters, Lea Bennett of Tonkawa, OK, and Tammy Diaz of Ponca City, OK. Three grandchildren - Crystal (Jeremy) Lewis, Santana Taylor (Greenfield), and Dominque Le. Great-grandchildren - Tanner, Brian, and Layla Greenfield, Carrie Allison, Colt and Cambree Le, and Rhiannon Lewis, of Ponca City, OK. One brother, Michael (Cheryl) Roy, two sisters, Dianne (Lou) Roy, and Debra Scott, all of Concord, New Hampshire.

He was preceded in death by his father, Raoul Roy of Dickinson, TX, Stepfather “Scotty”, & Mother Shirley Scott of Groveton, NH, his nephew Sean Roy of Concord, NH, and his Stepmother Catherine B. Roy of Indiana.

Services will be held Sunday, Nov 30, 2025, at 3:00 PM in the Fireside Room at the Carolyn Refro Event Center located at 445 Fairview Ave, Ponca City, OK 74601. Parking is on the East side of the building.