Roy Green

Roy Green, 64, of rural De Soto, died Friday, June 20, 2014, at his home. Captain Roy L. Green Captain Roy L. Green, 64, who spent most of his adult life working on or near the Mississippi River, pulled anchor Friday June 20, 2014 for his final voyage home to his Lord and Savior. Roy was born November 1, 1949 to Elizabeth Lina (Maurer) and Roy Wayne Green of Galena, IL. He graduated from Galena High School in 1967 shortly after meeting the love of his life and future bride, Dorothea Smith. He earned his first paycheck at the age of thirteen by cleaning and separating pistons at Garwin McNeiluss junkyard. He was quick to learn; impressed his boss with his work ethic, and by the age of sixteen, he was running a boom truck. This was the beginning of a life dedicated to working hard and learning and loving the operation of heavy equipment. Roy worked various construction jobs until entering the Army in 1970. During his service in Vietnam, he was awarded various medals including the Sharp Shooter badge, the National Defense Service Medal, the Bronze Star, and Army Commendation Medal. After returning stateside he was united in marriage to Dorothea. Over the years he and Dorothea welcomed three daughters whom he cared for and protected for the rest of his life. Roy was a longtime union member of both the Operating Engineers Local 234 (boat pilot, crane, cherry picker, backhoe and various other heavy equipment) and the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 953. His union membership was a source of great pride for him and he believed and taught his kids about "Fair work for fair pay." When you hire a union worker, you hire someone who is well trained and who practices experienced safety in the work place. A union can give a worker training and a voice, in turn, the worker should give the company the best and most honest skilled labor possible. After obtaining his pilots license to operate work boats Roy worked dredging and towing on nearly every major waterway in the US. In 1996, he started work at Dairyland Power (Genoa 3) . There he ran the harbor tug and managed the maintenance crew. His intelligence, innovation, and problem solving skills were apparent in all aspects of his work. Roys entire life was a reflection of his principles and quiet determination to live in service of others. He was preceded in death by his parents and best friends Hap, Troy and George. He leaves behind his bride of 43 years, Dorothea and their three daughters, Casey Green (and Robert Atwell), Amanda Green (and Travis) Johnson, and Alexandra Green. He will be missed by his trickster playmate granddaughter "Badge" Natalie, Jackson, Melita Mae and Hannah. He also leaves behind his sister Betty (and Daryl) Schemehorn and Aunt Ruby. He will be remembered for his strong principles, gentle and quiet manner, quick wit, guitar strumming, relaxing with his campfire dog Ruby, and successful desire to live by the golden rule. He was a man among men. Funeral service and a time of sharing will be Thursday June 26th at 11:00 at the Vosseteig Funeral Home in Westby. Full Military honors will follow the service at the Funeral Home. Visitation will be Wednesday June 25th from 4-8 pm at the Vosseteig Funeral Home in Westby (708 State Hwy. 27) and will continue Thursday at the Funeral Home from 10:00 am until the time of the service. The Vosseteig Funeral Home of Westby is serving the family