Rev. James Royle Bailard, age 85 of Alto, born April 7, 1933 passed away November 5, 2018 at home surrounded by his family. He was preceded in death by his parents, Rev. James G. and Evah Bailard; sisters, Carolyn Jane and Marguerite Stauffer. He is survived by his wife of 61 years, Leta; children, Dan (Christine) Bailard, and Becky (Brad) Sackett; grandchildren, James (Angela) Bailard, Josh and Rachael Nugent; great granddaughter Amora Alvarado; sisters, Eileen Flynn and Caryl Jean DeLeeuw, both of Grand Rapids, MI and longtime family friend, Kevin Baker. Royle was a pastor at The Old Time Methodist Church; the first several years he co-pastored with his father. He taught in the Caledonia Community School system 28 years, mostly at Kettle Lake Elementary at the 5th and then the 4th grade level. He was the “Voice of the Fighting Scots” for 28 years; announcing football, girls and boys basketball home games. He was inducted into Caledonia High School Sports Hall of Fame in 2008. Royle served his country in the US Army as a radar operator. Funeral Services will be 11 a.m. on Friday at Matthysse Kuiper DeGraaf Funeral Home, 4646 Kalamazoo Ave. SE, Kentwood, MI 49508, with Rev. Al Strouse and John Brummel officiating. Interment Whitneyville Cemetery. Relatives and friends may meet the family Thursday from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. at the funeral home. The family wishes to thank Metro Health, Fresenius Kidney Care of Kentwood, the Caledonia Fire Department, Porter Hills, and Faith Hospice. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to The Old Time Methodist Church in Alto.