AUGUSTA - Royce A. Dyer of Augusta, 74, died after a long and complicated illness on Thursday, Oct. 28, 2010. Born in Palermo on March 2, 1936, he was the oldest of six brothers and one sister. He was brought up on a chicken farm and was a carpenter, as were his dad and some brothers. He served in the National Guard. He and his dad were instrumental in building the Palermo Christian Church. Royce met his loving wife, Carmen, at Erskine Academy in 1954 where he graduated as salutatorian in 1955. They had a loving marriage most can only dream of and brought up four loving children. He loved hunting with his brothers, fishing, hearing his sister sing, camping, gardening, building in his workshop, reading and doing word puzzles. He loved carpentry, an occupation he enjoyed for 54 years. He was an easygoing man, known for his hard work and had a big smile and hug for everyone he met. He loved having his family near, including his six grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. Eight hours after he passed, another great-grandson, Gabe Royce, was born. He loved camping with his family in earlier years and loved traveling to Florida for the winter with special friends Buddy and Judy Stevens. He enjoyed working at Publix Supermarket in the winter and talking with all the customers. One accomplishment he was proud of was building a home on Natanis Golf Course in Vassalboro for his nephew, Randy and Sunita Raynes, with his son, Kevin. The last few years he had enjoyed helping all the people in the mobile home park where he lived. He loved his Lord and showed it in his actions by the things he did when someone was in need. In 1984, he and his wife, Carmen, moved from Palermo to Augusta, after the death of their son, Brian Dyer. Royce was instrumental in purchasing the land and building Hope Baptist Church in Manchester. In 2008, he was the project manager for the new addition to the church and worked with his brother, Donny Dyer on this project. Royce served in many different positions over the years and in recent years was an elder. The family wishes to thank the many family and friends who flooded into MaineGeneral Medical Center, Augusta campus. A very special thanks to the entire staff of nurses and everyone that attended him for their constant gentleness and concern right up to the moment he went to meet his Savior. He is survived by his wife of 54 years, Carmen; his daughter, Lori Plante, and her husband, Leo Plante, of Augusta; his daughter, Mia Burbeck, and her husband, Bernie Burbeck, of Springfield; his son, Kevin Dyer, of Augusta; five brothers, Richard Dyer of Palermo, Howard Dyer of Palermo, David Dyer and his wife, Brenda, of Palermo, Ronald Dyer and his wife, Sherry, of Richmond, and Donald Dyer and his wife, Pat, of Albion; and one sister, Sharon Clements and her husband, David, of Belfast. He was predeceased by his father, Herbert Dyer; mother, Mava Dyer; son, Brian Dyer; and sisters-in-law, Vera Dyer and Bernice Trepanier. Friends may visit 2-4 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 31, at Knowlton and Hewins Funeral Home, 1 Church St. in Augusta. A celebration of Royce's life will be held at 11 a.m. Monday, Nov. 1, at Hope Baptist Church in Manchester, followed by a gathering in the Dana Child's Fellowship Hall at the church. Burial will be at Kling Cemetery, West River Road, Augusta. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Hope Baptist Church building project, 726 Western Ave., Manchester, ME 04351. Condolences to the family may be expressed at www.khrfuneralhomes.com.