Royce Lenddon Slater, Sr., 84, of Mexia passed away October 19, 2012 in Waco, Texas. Funeral services will be 2PM, Tuesday, October 23, 2012 at Blair-Stubbs Chapel with Rev. Marcus Sheffield officiating. Masonic Graveside Rites will follow in the Mexia Cemetery. Visitation with the family will be 5-7 p.m., Monday at the funeral home Royce was born June 18, 1928 in Marshall, Texas to Charles Oliver and Ethel Keenum Slater. He moved from Houston to Mexia 35 years ago. He was a rancher and longtime member of the Texas Longhorn Breeders Association of America. Royce served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War. He was a member of the Springfield Masonic Lodge 74 in Mexia. Royce was a loving and devoted husband, father and grandfather. He enjoyed ranching and took pride in raising his longhorn cattle. He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Velma Slater, and son, Royce Lenddon Slater, Jr. Royce is survived by two daughters, Cynthia Diane Slater-Smith and Patricia Ann Slater-Love and husband, Dennis; daughter-in-law, Carla Kay Teer and husband, Rick; grandchildren, Kristy Waterman and husband, Matthew, Brandin Smith and wife, Shawna, Royce L. Slater, III and wife, Melissa, Randy J. Slater and wife, Sabrina, Traci R. Houston and husband, Lorenzo and Shane Teer; great-grandchildren, Christopher and Destiny Slater, Kaden Leger, Harley and Heaven Donaho, Aubrey White, Hannah and Kimber Slater, David Waterman, Daytin, Colton and Kenzie Smith, Jaiden and Amari Houston; and brother, G. Emmitt Slater and wife, Virgie of Houston. Pallbearers will be Robert Brown, Bobby Carroll, Royce Slater, Brandin Smith, Shane Teer, and Lorenzo Houston.