Roy Nilsen

Roy Nilsen, a devoted husband, father, grandfather, and faithful Christian, passed away on September 9, 2025, in Mansfield, Texas, after a courageous 7-year battle with ALS (Lou Gehrig's Disease). He was 76 years old.

Roy was born on September 4, 1949, in Jersey City, New Jersey, to Norwegian immigrant parents Murray and Ingrid Nilsen. Growing up Roy enjoyed traveling to New York City and spent countless hours at his father's church, where his father worked as a maintenance worker. Roy also enjoyed playing his accordion, fencing and traveling to Norway to visit his extended family.

Roy earned a Bachelor's degree in Political Science from Hope College. He embarked on a distinguished 30-year career in law enforcement, serving with the FBI, HUD, and FDIC, where he worked as an inspector general. Throughout his life, Roy remained steadfast in his Christian faith, inspiring those around him with his unwavering positivity, joy, and witty humor.

Roy is preceded in death by his parents, Murray and Ingrid Nilsen, and his sister, Wenche Haverkamp.

 He is survived by his loving wife, Barbara Nilsen; daughters Lisa Baker and her husband Chris, and Christy Reeves and her husband Tyler; five granddaughters: Maddison, Charlotte, Sydney, Alyssa, and Blakely; as well as three nieces and one nephew. His legacy will be remembered through the countless lives he touched with his kindness, positivity, and devotion to his family and friends.