William "Bill" Dee Roy

William “Bill” Dee Roy, 61, a beloved son, brother, husband, father and friend, died on January 22, 2023 in Wichita, Kansas. Bill was an accomplished journalist for 37 years, including the last 20 leading the Wichita Business Journal newsroom as editor-in-chief. He received many honors in his radio, television and newspaper career, culminating with his 2022 induction into the Kansas Press Association Hall of Fame. He was born on February 20, 1961, in Kansas City, Kansas, to Keith and Elamae Roy. He grew up in Overland Park, attending Santa Fe Trail Elementary, Milburn Junior High and Shawnee Mission North High School, graduating in 1979. He graduated from Kansas State University with a journalism degree in 1985. Bill began a radio broadcasting career in Garden City, Kansas, at stations KIUL and KWKR before joining KKJC Radio in Blue Springs, Missouri. In 1988, he moved to Wichita as a “ranch hand” reporter and news anchor at KFDI Radio, where he stayed until 1994. He became a reporter at The Wichita Eagle for three years before moving into television at KWCH, Channel 12, as assignment editor and assistant news director. He became managing editor of the Wichita Business Journal in 2002 and quickly became editor-in-chief, where he led the paper’s news operations as it expanded its online presence. He used his multiple talents in daily WBJ business reports on KNSS Radio and weekly reports on KAKE News. He was an entertaining emcee during WBJ events and programs, and his weekly “BizTalk with Bill Roy” podcast that attracted Wichita business leaders and newsmakers was the first of its kind within the Business Journal’s parent company. Bill met his wife, Gretchen, in Garden City and they were married in 1986 in Deerfield, Kansas. He was a devoted and loving husband, and later a dedicated father who coached his twin daughters’ soccer teams and never missed a game, cross country meet or school performance. Bill was most proud of his daughters and cherished the time his family spent together. An annual cut-up in Gridiron, the Society of Professional Journalists’ spoof of news events, Bill’s sense of humor and kindness made him an instant friend to everyone he met. Many of his friendships were life-long and created in school, at work, or in the community. He bled purple as a devoted Kansas State Wildcats supporter and also loved his Kansas City teams, the Chiefs and Royals. Bill was diagnosed with ALS, a neurodegenerative disease, in October 2019. Though his body slowly lost functionality, he never lost his positive attitude or sense of humor. He also continued to lead his newsroom as it adjusted to work-from-home conditions during Covid-19. The family is grateful to Phoenix Home Care & Hospice, his private caregivers, family and friends for the compassion and love they showed Bill. He is preceded in death by his father, Keith Roy; and brothers, Bob Grissom and Mike Roy. He is survived by his mother, Elamae Roy of Overland Park; his wife of 36 years, Gretchen Roy, of Wichita; and daughters Shea Roy of Kansas City, Missouri, and Sydney Rummery (husband Brooks) of Andover, Kansas. Two celebrations of life will be held. The first will be at 2 p.m. Saturday, February 4 at Porter Funeral Home, 8535 Monrovia in Lenexa, Kansas. A larger service will be held at 2 p.m. Tuesday, February 7 at Central Community Church, 6100 W. Maple in Wichita. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Project ALS (www.projectals.org) and the 1/99 Reintegration Program (www.199joco.org), or subscribe to the Wichita Business Journal (www.wichitabusinessjournal.com). Services in care of Downing & Lahey East Mortuary.