Roy’s son, Bill Roy Jr., said his father had surgery at the Mayo Clinic but died early Monday. In one of his April columns for the Capital-Journal, Roy discussed his health and the procedure he was to receive for congenital heart disease.

“I may have a few more years of quality life. Or, I may go down as another example of futile spending trying to save old folks in the last six months of life.”

Roy served two terms in the House of Representatives before running unsuccessfully for the U.S. Senate against Sen. Bob Dole in 1974 and against Nancy Kassebaum in 1978. He was a delegate to the Democratic National Conventions in 1976 and 1984 and also served on the Kansas Board of Regents.

“Bill Roy had so many friends on both sides of the aisle — Republican and Democrat,” said Topeka attorney Dan Lykins, a longtime friend. “Bill was always a public servant. He loved being a doctor, but he loved being a congressman, too.”

Roy was married in 1947 to Jane Twining Osterhoudt, whom he met while at Illinois Wesleyan University. They had six children and 10 grandchildren. She died in 2010.

Services were pending Tuesday at Penwell-Gabel Funeral Homes in Topeka.