Royce Elliott was a well-known clean comedian who has opened for many celebrities at various entertainment venues in United States and Canada from Bally's in Las Vegas to Bally's in Atlantic City. As Royce says, "It seems I always draw larger crowds when I have people close for me like Barbara Mandrell, Lou Rawls, Randy Travis, the lates Conway Twitty, Jerry Lee Lewis, the Gatlins and the Statlers among many others.

Royce was a featured comedian for hundreds of sports banquets and corporate events. He brought the crowd down appearing on the "Tommy LaSorda Roast" and later for the "Mike Ditka Roast" in Las Vegas. Royce has entertained at Fantasy Camps for the St. Louis Cardinals, Chicago Cubs and Chicago White Sox and at hockey banquets in Toronto, Canada, as well as NASCAR racing awards dinners.

Royce Elliott was 77 when he passed away at 6:05 a.m. Sunday, April 21, 2013 at OSF St. Francis Medical Center in Peoria Illinois after a struggle with health issues. Elliott is survived by his wife, Helen, three sons and one daughter. This was his Obituary in the Peoria Journal Star:

EAST PEORIA - Royce W. Elliott, 77, of East Peoria passed away at 6:05 a.m. Sunday, April 21, 2013, at OSF Saint Francis Medical Center in Peoria.

He was born on March 29, 1936, in Stephenville, Texas. He was preceded in death by his parents, Earl and Loretta (Williams) Elliott. He married Helen Milford on Oct. 14, 1961. She survives.

He also is survived by four children, Tye (Elizabeth) Elliott, Brian Elliott, Hedy (Zeb) Gardner and Brett Elliott (fiance, Devon Courtney); his grandchildren, Brooke, Mitch, Beau, Morgan, Brayden, Romi, Gia and Devon's sons, Mason and Ayden; and one brother, Billy Elliott.

He was preceded in death by an infant daughter, Rhonda Elizabeth Elliott, and one sister, Ruth.

Royce graduated from Woodruff High School, where he played baseball, basketball and football and participated in choir. He later attended Western Illinois University, where he played football and baseball. He also attended Bradley University.

Along with his love of sports, Royce loved coaching and sponsoring local teams. He played several years in the Peoria Sunday Morning League and played fast pitch softball for about 20 years. Elliott's Jesters sponsored fast pitch teams, park district men's basketball teams, and youth track teams. He coached in the Salvation Army Biddy Basketball league and West Peoria Little League.

Royce was best known as "America's funniest clean comedian." He traveled all over North America performing as an emcee for sports, corporate and charity events. Additionally, he entertained at venues such as Bally's Las Vegas, The Grand Ole Opry and Atlantic City; however, he could also be heard doing his routine at the Stadium Club in Peoria, Two Brother's Tap and local baseball fields. Many of his appearances can be found on Royceelliott.com. (page is no longer active)

He made dozens of national television appearances on "The Ralph Emery Show," "Crook and Chase," "Nashville Now" and "The Statler Brothers Show." He worked with many celebrities such as Frank Sinatra, Lou Rawls, Rich Little, Barbara Mandrell, Vince Gill and Conway Twitty. He worked sports banquets and fantasy camps with sports stars Lou Brock, Bob Gibson, Fergie Jenkins, Terry Bradshaw, Jack Buck, Harry Caray and numerous others.

After semi-retiring, he worked locally as a co-host of "Breakfast With Royce and Roger," where he connected with his all-time favorite comedian, Jonathan Winters. He spent most Thursday mornings at Sterling Family Restaurant with good friends from the ROMEO (Retired Old Men Eating Out) club.

A funeral Mass will be at 10 a.m. Friday, April 26, 2013, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church. The Franciscan Fathers will officiate. Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. Thursday, April 25, 2013, at Wright & Salmon Mortuary. An additional visitation will be held 30 minutes prior to the Mass at the church. Burial will be in St. Joseph Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Friends of Proctor Center, 309 S. DuSable, Peoria, IL 61605; Peoria Sunday Morning League, 5806 N. Keenland, Peoria, IL 61614; ; Old Timers Baseball Association; or Independent Sports Club.

Tributes and condolences may be submitted to www.wrightandsal-mon.com. (page is no longer active)

Published in Peoria Journal Star on Apr. 23, 2013

Never Forgotten Co-Host of Breakfast with Roger & Friends