On Saturday, April 14, 1934, James Clayton and Betty Ann Bulice of Big Rock, Arkansas, welcomed a son into the world. They named him Roy Jesse.
Roy grew up in the Mountain Springs, Arkansas area under the guidance of his mother and James Thomas Lusty, and attended Cabot Public Schools.
On May 18, 1953, Roy married Helen Essinger. Over the next 9 years, they welcomed 4 boys into this world. In 1958, they bought 32 acres of land south of Cabot where they raised their sons. On that land, they taught their sons to raise vegetables, cows, hogs, and dogs.
Because the boys wanted to play baseball, Roy became a baseball coach while Helen became a Cub Scout Den Mother. When the boys joined the Boy Scouts of America, Roy became a Scout Master, teaching boys about knots, camping, and teaching them to do their best, to do their duty to God and their country, to help other people at all times, and to obey the Scout Law.
Roy was very much an entrepreneur. He started his own auto repair shop, vegetable and strawberry peddler, sold pet supplies and hunting boots, and raised and sold hogs and dogs.
He was an avid hunter and fisherman, and taught his sons to do the same.
He and Helen were very active in the Church of Christ and made 2 mission trips to Costa Rica.
Roy is preceded in death by his parents, his wife, his brother Carlis Lusty, his son James, his daughter-in-law Laurie, and his granddaughter-in-law Kari Bulice.
He is survived by his son Clayton Eugene [Debbie], Roy Harvey [Sharon], Gary Wayne [Melissa], his grandchildren Jonathan Roy, William Edward, Jonathan Paul [Kasha], Dairies Paige, Christopher, Misty, and Tristan, his great-grandchildren Bradley, Emily, Anna, Remington and great-great-granddaughter Kairiya Hernandez, as well as many family and friends.
Visitation will be held on Saturday, March 14, 2026 at 10:00am with the funeral service starting at 11:00am at Cabot Church of Christ located at 500 N 2nd St. in Cabot. Burial will take place at Mountain Springs Cemetery in Cabot.
Arrangements by A Natural State Funeral Service 2620 West Main Street, Jacksonville, Arkansas 72076. 501-982-3400. Online guestbook available at www.anaturalstatefuneralservice.com
6 Comments
RIP Roy!
We are so sorry for y’all’s loss and are praying for God’s peace and comfort🙏
I worked for Roy in 1968-69 between high school and the Marines. He was not just a boss, but a mentor and a great friend. I’ll always remember his nickname for me, Witcher boy spoken so fast it sounded like a single word. RiP my friend.
Went to church with Roy and Helen at Austin CofC.
Very good people. Helen and I were distant cousins.
I loved the Bulice family. Roy and Helen were very much a part of my life. I remember Roy coaching baseball and I grew up with Harvey and spent a lot of time with him playing sports, especially. I love every one of you boys, Clayton, Harvey, James and Gary. I may be late for the funeral as I have another one at 10 a.m. in Beebe. But look for me, I will be there. I have great love and respect for you all. May God comfort and bless you.
Clayton, Harvey, Gary, and family. We are so sorry to hear about your dad passing away. We did not know about it until I happened to run across the obituary today (3-16-26). I drove by your dad’s house the other day and was wondering how he was doing. Seems like all our families are getting smaller and smaller. May God bless and comfort all of you.
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