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Raymond Royce Obituary
Published by Legacy Remembers on Jun. 2, 2025.
Palm Beach Gardens - Raymond Watson Royce, a prominent attorney in Palm Beach County for many years, passed away on May 26, 2025. Born on March 5, 1936, Ray was a native of Florida.
Ray grew up in Lake Worth, and attended Lake Worth High School where he was Freshman Class and Glee Club president, a member of the Trojan Football Team, Key Club, and Boy's State. He was named Wittiest in his Senior Class.
Ray earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering in 1958 from the University of Florida in 1958 and his Law Degree from the University of Florida in 1961. While at UF, he was a member of Florida Blue Key, Hall of Fame, Alpha Tau Omega fraternity, Phi Delta Phi legal fraternity, Engineering Society, Gator Growl Technical Chair, and Executive Editor of the University of Florida Law Review.
His professional law career began at the Blakeslee Law Firm, Palm Beach. Ray quickly became a pillar of the Palm Beach County legal community, shaping the real estate and zoning landscape of Palm Beach and Northern Palm Beach County throughout his 57-year distinguished legal career. He was a partner in the law firm of Scott, Burke, Royce & Harris, Palm Beach, later Scott, Royce, Harris & Bryan, Palm Beach Gardens, and Holland & Knight, West Palm Beach. In 2009, Ray joined the West Palm Beach office of Shutts & Bowen LLP, as a senior partner where he practiced until he retired at the end of 2018.
Ray was president of the Palm Beach County Bar Association and Young Lawyers Association, an active member of the Florida Bar Board of Governors, Executive Council, Constitution Revision Commission of the State of Florida, Board of the Real Property Section, admitted to three U.S. District Courts, Chairman of the Palm Beach County Zoning Task Force, and Bar Association Long Range Planning Committee. He was named best Real Estate Lawyer by his peers in 2017.
Active in his community, Ray served as chair of the American Cancer Society, Council of 100, The Forum Club of the Palm Beaches, Board of Directors of Palm Beach Gardens Medical Center and Admiralty Bank, President of the Northern Palm Beach County Improvement District, and President of the UF Alumni Association of Palm Beach County.
The University of Florida held a special place in Ray's heart. He was proud of his family's tradition of five generations of Gators. Known to many as "Gator Ray," he was a Bull Gator for 34 years. He attended Gator football games from 1953 through the 2024 season. The song, "Through all kinds of weather, we'll all stick together" took on a literal meaning for Gator Ray, after decades of tailgate parties (some rainy), game days, wins, losses, and countless special memories with his Gator family. He was also admitted to the University of Florida Grand Guard.
Ray spent many weekends as a cattle rancher and citrus grower in Lake Placid, Florida, where his family owned ranch land dating from the 1920's. Ray was as at home with the cowboys on the ranch as he was in a Palm Beach ballroom. In 2001, the Nature Conservancy and State of Florida purchased 2,700 acres of Silver Harbor Ranch for preservation and public enjoyment.
In addition to his work life, Ray had many interests including reading, world travel, flag football coaching, and history. He arranged for an archeological dig of what is now the Royce Mound in Highlands County. He traced the Royce and Watson Family genealogy to 16th century England and Scotland. He also visited all 50 states in the U.S.
During Ray's wonderful life, one thing remained constant - his passion and dedication to his family, friends, and all who knew him. A loving husband, father, grandfather, and friend, Ray's warmth, wit, wisdom, strength, and kindness will be greatly missed and happily remembered.
Ray is survived by his wife of 46 years, Catherine S. Royce; his five children Raymond D. Royce (Susan), Steven L. Royce (Michelle), Nancy Royce Stellway (Bill), Kathryn Royce Newton, and Ryan W. Royce (Caroline); and grandchildren Colby Royce, Scout Royce, Kacie Royce Boone (Jackson), Ashley Royce, Jessica Perry (William), Tyler Stellway, Kylie Stellway, Clay Newton, Jake Newton, Riley Newton, and James Royce; and great-grandsons Lincoln Boone and Jett Perry. Ray is preceded in death by his parents Wilbur E. Royce and Veda Watson Royce Walker.
A private funeral service will be held. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in thanksgiving for the life of Raymond W. Royce to The Legal Aid Society of Palm Beach County or Take Stock in Children of Palm Beach County.
Ray grew up in Lake Worth, and attended Lake Worth High School where he was Freshman Class and Glee Club president, a member of the Trojan Football Team, Key Club, and Boy's State. He was named Wittiest in his Senior Class.
Ray earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering in 1958 from the University of Florida in 1958 and his Law Degree from the University of Florida in 1961. While at UF, he was a member of Florida Blue Key, Hall of Fame, Alpha Tau Omega fraternity, Phi Delta Phi legal fraternity, Engineering Society, Gator Growl Technical Chair, and Executive Editor of the University of Florida Law Review.
His professional law career began at the Blakeslee Law Firm, Palm Beach. Ray quickly became a pillar of the Palm Beach County legal community, shaping the real estate and zoning landscape of Palm Beach and Northern Palm Beach County throughout his 57-year distinguished legal career. He was a partner in the law firm of Scott, Burke, Royce & Harris, Palm Beach, later Scott, Royce, Harris & Bryan, Palm Beach Gardens, and Holland & Knight, West Palm Beach. In 2009, Ray joined the West Palm Beach office of Shutts & Bowen LLP, as a senior partner where he practiced until he retired at the end of 2018.
Ray was president of the Palm Beach County Bar Association and Young Lawyers Association, an active member of the Florida Bar Board of Governors, Executive Council, Constitution Revision Commission of the State of Florida, Board of the Real Property Section, admitted to three U.S. District Courts, Chairman of the Palm Beach County Zoning Task Force, and Bar Association Long Range Planning Committee. He was named best Real Estate Lawyer by his peers in 2017.
Active in his community, Ray served as chair of the American Cancer Society, Council of 100, The Forum Club of the Palm Beaches, Board of Directors of Palm Beach Gardens Medical Center and Admiralty Bank, President of the Northern Palm Beach County Improvement District, and President of the UF Alumni Association of Palm Beach County.
The University of Florida held a special place in Ray's heart. He was proud of his family's tradition of five generations of Gators. Known to many as "Gator Ray," he was a Bull Gator for 34 years. He attended Gator football games from 1953 through the 2024 season. The song, "Through all kinds of weather, we'll all stick together" took on a literal meaning for Gator Ray, after decades of tailgate parties (some rainy), game days, wins, losses, and countless special memories with his Gator family. He was also admitted to the University of Florida Grand Guard.
Ray spent many weekends as a cattle rancher and citrus grower in Lake Placid, Florida, where his family owned ranch land dating from the 1920's. Ray was as at home with the cowboys on the ranch as he was in a Palm Beach ballroom. In 2001, the Nature Conservancy and State of Florida purchased 2,700 acres of Silver Harbor Ranch for preservation and public enjoyment.
In addition to his work life, Ray had many interests including reading, world travel, flag football coaching, and history. He arranged for an archeological dig of what is now the Royce Mound in Highlands County. He traced the Royce and Watson Family genealogy to 16th century England and Scotland. He also visited all 50 states in the U.S.
During Ray's wonderful life, one thing remained constant - his passion and dedication to his family, friends, and all who knew him. A loving husband, father, grandfather, and friend, Ray's warmth, wit, wisdom, strength, and kindness will be greatly missed and happily remembered.
Ray is survived by his wife of 46 years, Catherine S. Royce; his five children Raymond D. Royce (Susan), Steven L. Royce (Michelle), Nancy Royce Stellway (Bill), Kathryn Royce Newton, and Ryan W. Royce (Caroline); and grandchildren Colby Royce, Scout Royce, Kacie Royce Boone (Jackson), Ashley Royce, Jessica Perry (William), Tyler Stellway, Kylie Stellway, Clay Newton, Jake Newton, Riley Newton, and James Royce; and great-grandsons Lincoln Boone and Jett Perry. Ray is preceded in death by his parents Wilbur E. Royce and Veda Watson Royce Walker.
A private funeral service will be held. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in thanksgiving for the life of Raymond W. Royce to The Legal Aid Society of Palm Beach County or Take Stock in Children of Palm Beach County.
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