Willie Roy Hytche Jr.

Willie Roy Hytche Jr. affectionately known as Roy Jr., Uncle Roy, and Papa, of Merrillville, Indiana, entered eternal life on September 20, 2025, at the age of 84. He was born on September 30, 1940, in Porter, Oklahoma, to Willie Sr. and Mae Etta Hytche (nee Borens).

Roy Jr. graduated in 1958 from Manual Training High School in Muskogee, Oklahoma, and continued his education at Langston University in Langston, Oklahoma, where he earned a Bachelor’s degree in Education. He later received a Master’s degree in Education from Indiana State University. While at Langston, he also became a proud member of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc., Beta Epsilon Chapter, on December 15, 1962, where he shared in fellowship, service, and brotherhood.

Upon arrival in Gary, Indiana Roy reunited with his Oklahoma schoolmate Alice Marie Mack. They were married in 1967. Their 40-year union of marriage produced two beautiful daughters, Sonya and Sharon.

Roy began his lifelong career in 1962 as an educator in the Gary Community School Corporation, where he worked with dedication until his retirement. His commitment to shaping young minds at Beckman Middle School, West Side and Roosevelt and serving his community left a lasting legacy.

Roy Jr. discovered a love for music at a young age, playing the piano and organ, and later nurtured a passion for photography and videography, capturing memories that would last a lifetime. For many years Roy owned and ran his locksmith company and was called upon to help anyone at anytime when they would lock themselves out of their homes or just needed keys.  Roy was a member of the Great Lakes Conservation Rod and Gun Club meeting monthly in Monterey, Indiana.

In January 1964, Roy Jr. joined St. Timothy Community Church, where he remained a faithful member for 61 years. During his decades of service, he served on the Trustee Board for 25+ years,  was active in the Men’s Fellowship and the September Birthday Group and gave his time and leadership as an Assistant Scoutmaster for Boy Scout Troop 53. In Scouting, Roy earned several awards including the District Award of Merit in 2011 and was a member of the Order of the Arrow, Scouting’s Honor Society. He enjoyed bowling alongside his beloved wife, Alice and sister-in-law Dolena, as members of the Gary Teachers’ Bowling League. Roy found joy in caring for, eating and sharing the fruits and veggies of  his garden, loved working with his hands and bringing ideas to life through building and creating. Roy constructed many of the award-winning wooden scrapbooks for the ladies of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc, Gamma Psi Omega chapter. St. Timothy Community Church is also filled with many of Roy’s wooden creations such as; the speaking stands, the music conductor’s podium, and even the step-stool in the pulpit children use to reach the microphone. In Roy’s free time he enjoyed fishing and truly enjoyed watching Western shows.

Roy Jr. was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Alice Marie Hytche (nee Mack), his parents Willie Sr. and Mae Etta Hytche (nee Borens), and siblings Daniel Hytche, Charles Hytche, and Jacqueline (Stanley) Rich.

He leaves to cherish his memory his daughters Sonya Hytche and Sharon (David) Cunningham; his beloved niece, Kellauna Mack, whom he loved as his own daughter, along with her children, Kenneth and Kendall; five grandsons Jory, Adrian, Dorian, Alec, and Jeremiah; siblings Gwendolyn Hytche, Teresa (Carl) McKittrick, Theodore Hytche, Travis (Deborah) Hytche, Larry 

(Doris) Hytche, Sherman (Connie) Hytche, and Kathryn Hytche; special sister-in-law Dolena Mack, sister-in-law Ida Elizabeth Wilson; brother-in-law William Mack; and many nieces, nephews, and other extended family members and friends.

Roy will be remembered for his steadfast faith, love of family, devotion to education, service to his church and community, and lifelong brotherhood as a member of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc.

Visitation will be held on Monday, September 29, 2025, at Smith Bizzell & Warner Funeral Home, 4209 Grant St., Gary, IN 46408, from 12:00 PM to 7:00 PM, with family hour from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM.

Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc. Ceremony at 6:00 p.m. A second visitation will take place on Tuesday, September 30, 2025, at St. Timothy Community Church, 1600 W. 25th Ave., Gary, IN 46404, from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM, followed by the funeral service beginning at 11:00 AM. 

The funeral service will be live-streamed on two platforms: 

St. Timothy Community Church’s website – www.sttimothychurch.org and the church’s Facebook page. Streaming will begin promptly at 11 AM central standard time.