Royal Sidie of St. James, Missouri passed away quietly, on Tuesday, December 28, 2010 at the Boone County Hospital Center in Columbia, Missouri. Royal was 89 years, 7 months and 16 days of age.

Royal William Sidie was born on May 12, 1921 to Leda and John Scott Sidie in Viroqua, Wisconsin. His mother died when he was very young and his father was forced to send his children to various farms in the area to earn their keep. Royal worked hard for his $0.25 a week, was a good student, and enjoyed boxing while in High School. He enlisted in the Army National Guard in Wisconsin on October 2, 1940. He became a Staff Sergeant in the 358th Air Base Sqaudron, and was deployed as a Navigator 1034. He flew in the company of the 486th and 834th Bomb Squads of the 92nd Wing of the, 3rd Division, 8th Air Force. He "participated in 25 heavy bombardment missions over enemy-occupied Continental Europe as navigator of B-24's and B-17's. He was awarded the Air Medal with three Oak Leaf Clusters while completing his operational tour in this theater. His duties were performed in an excellent manner." (from a memo written by LTC Glendon Overing dated September 1, 1944) His missions included flying over France, Germany, Belgium and Holland. He never forgot those experiences, and he was grateful to the end for the grace that allowed him to survive these. He never tired of re-telling these experiences, and met regularly with a local flier's group. He generously recorded all of the flier's telling their stories. He had planned on flying to Washington with the Central Missouri Honor flight, but this was thwarted by his failing health.


Royal took a quick detour during his time back in the states to marry Ella Ruth Doll, of St. Mary's Missouri on June 25, 1941. He and Ella Ruth had two sons during this time, Renai Patrick and Ronald James, then much later on came Rochelle Ann. Renai married Janie Braschler, to whose union came Kristie. Ronnie married Joanne Funke, to which union came Stacy Marie, Marc William and Marcie Lynn. Rochelle married Stephen Akins, to which union came Matthew Stephen and Nicholas Sidie. He leaves behind four living grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.

Royal attended the University of Missouri - Rolla through the GI bill, and was a semester short of receiving his degree in Electrical Engineering when he went to work at the U.S. Geological Survey as a surveyor and cartographer until his retirement in 1972 . He also set up the first television repair shop in Rolla, and he never tired of trying out the latest in TV, radio, and recording technology. He was an avid golfer up until he could no longer play due to a shoulder injury. He was a dedicated Cardinals' fan, and did the daily Cryptoquip in the St. Louis Post Dispatch religiously. After his wife's death, he enjoyed traveling, especially to Scotland, and also toured Europe. He vacationed in Hawaii and spent several years traveling back and forth to Minneapolis to spend time with his high school sweetheart, Gwen Rudroff, who preceded him in death.

Royal was also preceded in death by his wife, Ella Ruth, one son (Ronnie), a daughter-in-law (Joanne) and two granddaughters (Stacy Marie and Marcie Lynn).

Royal was a devoted soldier, husband, father, and grandfather and a gentleman to the end. He lived a simple life with dignity and integrity.

Aside from family, Royal will be greatly missed by his friends on the bus that he took twice a week to the casino; the guys from the Flier's group, his golfing buddies, and all of his friends at the U.S.G.S.

The family would like give a special thanks to Dr. Gorrell, Dr Schuetz, and Dr. Joe Bond, along with the staff of the Phelps County Regional Medical Center and Boone Hospital Center for all there special care given to Royal.

Memorials are suggested to the Central Missouri Honor Flight. Cards are available at the Jones Funeral Home in St. James, Missouri.

Those wishing to leave online condolences may do so at www.jonesfunerals.com.

All arrangements are under the direction of the Jones Funeral Home in St. James, Missouri.

Services
Funeral Services with Full Military Honors will be conducted on Saturday, January 8, 2011 at 2:00 PM at the Jones Funeral Home in St. James, Mo, with Lynn Huggins officiating. Burial will be in the Jefferson Barracks Cemetery in St. Louis, Missouri.