Royce Clayton Henson, age 88, of Springfield went to meet his heavenly father and was greeted with a joyous reunion. Waiting for him were his parents; Ezra and Sylvia Henson; his siblings Neice and Randy; and his son Van and a baby grandson.

Royce was born October 30, 1933 in Coldspring, in Douglas County. He attended Champion School a one room school for eight years and graduated from Ava High School in 1951. He received his Bachelor of Science degree in industrial engineering in 1960 from Southwest Missouri State College (SMS). Royce taught two years at Mansfield High School. He served in the Army two years in Germany, 1956 to 1958. Royce worked for Carnahan – White Fence Company for 40 years starting in sales and later became general manager. After retirement He and Jody started "Lawn Salon" lawn care business.

Royce obeyed the Gospel at Champion Church of Christ at age 15 and had been a member of the East Grand Church of Christ since 1959. He loved the outdoors. He enjoyed cutting wood, water and snow skiing. He loved football and played on the first team for the AVA Bears. He delighted in the sports activities of his children and grandchildren. Royce and Jody started the "Cradle Roll" class on Mothers, Day 1971, when the then newly adopted son, Van, was two years old. When Van passed away in 1997 Royce, Jody and friends at the East Grand Church of Christ established the first Christian pre-school in Nicaragua in Van's Memory. Now there are eight schools.

Royce is survived by the love of his life Minnie Jo Lorett Henson, AKA Miss Jo for 63 1/2 years; three children daughter Valli Jo Mills, her husband Tom and their sons Alex and Evan; son Victor; daughter Victoria; son Vaughn, and his wife Cara Henson; their children Taryn, Whitaker, and Carlyn Henson; a grandson Zach Henson who is Van's son who died in 1997; and Zach's mother Kris Mizell; a sister Eva Phillips, her husband Harold; a brother Kenneth Henson, and his wife Dawn.

A visitation will be held from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM Monday, June 6, 2022 at Klingner-Cope Funeral Home, at the chapel, Springfield. The funeral service will follow the visitation at 11:00 AM in the chapel. Burial will follow at Rivermonte Memorial Gardens, Springfield. Memorial donations in lieu of flowers may be made to the Van Henson Pre-School in Nicaragua, 2220 E. Grand St., Springfield, MO 65804.