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Donna Jones
I am so sorry to hear about Royce. He was just the sweetest and most kind man I have ever had the pleasure to work with. Royce taught me so many things about the optical industry and I will always be forever grateful. He always talked about his boys and Ms Peggy and how he was so proud of them. Royce will be truly missed by all that knew him.
Tony Stubits
Royce was a great man and a valuable member of our team at Coastal Vision Center. People used to stop by our office under the pretense of getting their glasses adjusted but really were there just to talk to Royce. He made everyone feel welcomed
Jan Nabors
I have many fond memories of working with Royce. He taught me so much! He was kind, funny and a dedicated man of God. I'm grateful to have known him and his sweet Peggy!
William Royce Lawhorne
2023-12-30
William Royce Lawhorne, 87, passed away peacefully on Saturday, December 30, 2023.
Royce was a lifelong resident of Fernandina Beach, born March 17, 1936 in Lowndes County, Georgia to William and Tincy Lawhorne. He graduated from Fernandina Beach High School where he ran track, played band, and was a running back on the 1954 Pirate football team. Royce married Peggy Joy (Mullin) Lawhorne on July 28, 1956 and together they had four sons.
Royce moved to Fernandina Beach in 1939 shortly after his father graduated from Florida Barber College in Jacksonville. Royce’s father, William, subsequently opened Lawhorne’s Barber Shop on Centre Street where Royce worked alongside his father during some of the most bustling years of the barber shop’s decades-long history.
Royce was a long-time member of First Baptist Church in Fernandina Beach and served as deacon, Sunday school teacher, and orchestra member. He served in the United States Coast Guard Reserve, was a member of the Fernandina Beach volunteer Fire Department, and served as chairman of the Amelia Island Mosquito Control Commission. Royce worked as an optician for McClane & Stubits Optometry from 1973 until 1998, retiring after 25 years of service.
Royce was dedicated to his church and family and his warm smile and kind-hearted nature was a source of inspiration and comfort to those who knew him.
He was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Ken Lawhorne; wife, Peggy Joy Lawhorne; and sons, Scott Lawhorne and Larry Lawhorne.
Royce leaves behind two sons, Richie Lawhorne, and Archie (Pauly) Lawhorne; six grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren.
The family welcomes your visitation 5 to 7 p.m. Friday, January 5, at Oxley Heard Funeral Home. They also welcome you to the funeral services 10 a.m. Saturday, January 6, at the First Baptist Church of Fernandina Beach, with a Bosque Bello graveside service 10 a.m. on Monday, January 8.
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