He was born in Sibley, Louisiana on July 31, 1931, a twin, to Lucille Cost Talley and Ray William Talley. He graduated from Homer High School and Louisiana Tech University in 1952 with a Business degree. While working his way through college, he served as President of his junior class, President of the Kappa Sigma fraternity and was a cheerleader. After college he went on to earn a law degree from Louisiana State University in 1955 and served three years in the US Army, stationed in Germany. After being honorably discharged, he returned to private practice in Ruston, Louisiana. In 1959, he married Martha Charlotte Green and soon after began his career with Mobil Oil as Louisiana Council. His first major task was doing the legal framework for Mobil's acquisition of Magnolia Oil Company. Later, he moved with his family to Dallas where he pursued a Masters of Jurisprudence in Oil and Gas at Southern Methodist University. His 32-year career with Mobil Oil took the family from Dallas to Houston, Baton Rouge and New Orleans. In Louisiana he served as the Chairman of the Louisiana State Ethics Commission and on the Oil and Gas Commission.
In 1973 he was named Associate General Council for Mobil Oil, which brought the Talley family to Austin. In this position he was responsible for the company's legislative program and government relations in 28 states. He served on many boards, including being appointed to the McDonald Observatory, and was active in community service. Throughout his life, his top priorities remained family and friends. He was a longtime member of The Headliners Club and Tarry House and was Fleet Commander of The Admirals Club. He was well known at The Piccadilly Cafeteria, Lammes Candies (at chocolate-covered strawberry time), and Cisco's, where he regularly ate breakfast with Mac Wallace and George Christian. For nearly 30 years, during Legislative Sessions, Roy sponsored "The Breakfast Table", entertaining legislators and their staff. Many professional and personal relationships were built with the state's highest leaders and public officials at these breakfasts. Roy cherished these friendships.
Roy and his family spent every summer in Bay View, a Methodist Chautauqua Association, on the shores of Lake Michigan - one of the oldest in the United States. In addition to serving on numerous committees, he served on the Bay View Board of Trustees for nine years, including four years as President.
He was preceded in death by his parents and older brothers Henry and Jack Talley. He is survived by his wife of 52 years, Martha Charlotte Green Talley; his children Robert Gregory Talley and wife Joan Granger Talley, of Austin; Davis Morgan Talley of Austin; Martha Talley Kirkwood and husband Andrew Douglas Kirkwood of Houston; and grandchildren Charles Granger Talley, Charlotte Elizabeth Talley, Matthew Morgan Kirkwood and Talley Cecile Kirkwood. He is also survived by his twin brother, Ray William Talley and wife Maureen of New Orleans, Louisiana; sister in law Roberta Green Hinton of Ruston, Louisiana; brother in law William Davis Green of Shreveport, Louisiana; sister in law Annie Talley of Rosemont, California and numerous nieces and nephews.
The family is most grateful for the loving care he received at The Summit Healthcare at Westlake and from Debbie Pearson and her staff at Nurse Case Management, especially Grace Samake, Emmanuel Akalusi and Bernie Banawis.
Honorary Pallbearers are: Chuck Christensen, Jim Cauthorn, Dale Parker, Frank Morris, Sam Winters, Jack Crosby, Laurens Fish, Jack Schneider, Theo Painter, Bob Clement, Ed Auler, Bruce Rieck, Tom Granger and Franklin Hall of Austin; the Rev. Bill O'Neal of Longview; Jack Hazard of New Orleans, Louisiana; Johnny O'Neal and Ben James of Ruston, Louisiana; Adrian Rogier of Highland, Illinois; Norm Wells of Madison, Alabama; Neil Bidwell of Petoskey, Michigan; and Bob Kammeraad of Naples, Florida.
A memorial service will be held this Friday, November 4, 2011 at two o'clock at The Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd, officiated by Morgan Allen.
For those desiring, the family asks that memorials be made to The Seton Fund 1201 West 38th Street, Austin TX 78705; The Bay View Association, PO Box 583, Petoskey Michigan 49770; The Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd in Austin, P.O. Box 5176, Austin, TX 78763; The Lincoln Parish Museum, 609 North Vienna Street, Ruston, LA 71270; or a charity of your choice.
COMPARTA UN OBITUARIO
v.1.8.18