Washington, Indiana - 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. He attended the University of Illinois and graduated with a Bachelor's Degree in 1963. While attending U of I, he met the love of his life Nyla Kathleen Nelson at the Spudnut Donut shop. He married her on September 2, 1961, and he faithfully loved & cared for her over 63 years until she passed on to heaven. He worked for the US Forest Service in the State of Washington and then served on active duty in the US Army, mainly in Arizona. He also served in the US Army Reserve in Indiana. He obtained a master's degree in education from Indiana University. 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. He was the boys' tennis coach for many years with a record of 110-73 before retiring in December of 1987. He taught summer tennis lessons for many years for the Washington Community Tennis Club, and he also assisted the girls' tennis teams for several years. He was a Board member for the local credit union, and also served on the alcoholic beverage commission. He was a hard worker and devoted his life to public service.

Family, sports, traveling, humor, art, serving, dancing, and books were among his favorite things. He adored all of his kids and their spouses and visited them often. He was kind and welcoming to the Nelson family, as well as all of the people who married into his family. He would sponsor a gathering each year in June around or after Father's day at vacation rentals to spend time with each of his kids' families. He especially loved his grandchildren and attended many of their activities and graduations. He found great joy in visiting his grandkids and often hosting them during summer breaks and holidays over the years. He was very happy to see all of his great-grandchildren most recently. He was very active playing tennis, basketball, softball, pickleball, hiking, and riding bikes as often as he could. He enjoyed traveling with his wife to many states across the continental US as well as Hawaii. He had a great sense of humor and loved talking and telling stories to people. He loved dancing, and in high school his coach called him "Twinkle Toes." He was a very good artist, painting nature scenes in both watercolors and oil. He also enjoyed yoga at the YMCA and would often ride bikes and go on walks with his wife, Nyla. He was also a member of Christ United Methodist Church, where he helped wrap presents for Jubilee Christmas and served with Feed My Sheep. He was a professor at Vincennes University for a time and also enjoyed mentoring young people and fellow authors. He thoroughly enjoyed his food and time at the Cherry Ghost Coffeehouse. He wrote several books, the most notable of which were Final Season, Camp Zodiac, and The Legend of the Blue Hole. His start in book writing included the names of his grandkids as characters because he loved them and loved reading. He supported the development of a live play for Veal Creek Theatre for Camp Zodiac. He also valued education very much and helped ensure that all of his children and grandchildren attended college and trade schools. 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, 2024, 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.