Sergeant Major Robert “Roy” Onnie Yeager, US Army, Retired, 88 years old, of Fayetteville, NC passed away Thursday, May 5, 2022.
Roy was born on July 1, 1933 in Belhaven, NC. He was preceded in death by his wife, Edna Margaret “Ginger” Midgett Yeager, his parents, Ernest Ebenezer and Evelyn Cole Yeager, his brothers Ebenezer Mortimer Yeager, Eugene Oscar Yeager, William Leon Yeager, Richard Alan Yeager (identical twin) and his sister, Esther Elizabeth Yeager (West) Gutherie. He served in the National Guards in Korea during the Korean War. He enlisted in the army where he went to jump school. He married Edna Margaret “Ginger” Midgett on December 22, 1953 at the United Methodist Church in Morehead City, North Carolina. He served with the 82nd Airborne Division and served a tour in Germany and three tours in Vietnam. He was a Bronze Star and Purple Heart medal recipient. He served in the Army in several overseas assignments. He served with the 24th Artillery Group in Richmond, Virginia and then retired in 1977. He earned a 2-year degree from Fayetteville Technical Institute with a Bachelor of Science degree. He returned to the work force as an environmental engineer in wastewater management on Pope Air Force base for 13 years until his final retirement. Roy was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, Fayetteville 1st Ward. He served a mission at the LDS Family History Center. He was a member of the Shriners. He was a member of the VFW. He was a Freemason. He was a volunteer firefighter with Bonnie Doone Volunteer Fire Department and a lifetime member of Westarea Volunteer Fire Department. He served as a Boy Scout Master. He loved traveling, Nascar racing, fishing, hunting, gardening, visiting family in Morehead City, bowling (a member of the 300 Club), playing cards and talking with absolutely anyone and everyone.
Roy is survived by 6 children Jane “Rendy” Yeager, Michael Yeager (Gwen), Susan Purcell (Scott), Robert Yeager (Nancy), Cynthia Yeager (Don), Philip “Neil” Yeager (Teresa), 9 grandchildren Staci Clark, Susan Cattand, Christopher Yeager, Rebecca Sinclair, Spencer Yeager, Michael King, Conner Yeager, Watkins Yeager, Hattie Yeager and 8 great grandchildren Casi Harper, Kira Cattand, Skylar Shoemaker, Xander Clark, Payton Yeager, Avery Sinclair, Parker Sinclair, and Waverly Yeager.
The family will receive friends on Thursday May 12, 2022 from Noon to 1:15PM at Rogers and Breece Funeral Home immediately followed by a funeral service officiated by Bishop Caleb Ngatuvai.
Roy will be buried with full military honors at 3:00PM in Lafayette Memorial Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donation may be sent to the Alzheimer’s Foundation.
