Roy was born to Delmar Lester House and Zetella Fairfield House in New Sharon, Maine and grew up in Greene, Maine. He had 1 brother and 8 half-brothers and sisters. Roy excelled in his studies in the one-room schoolhouse in Greene, and later travelled daily to Lewiston, Maine for high school. At the age of seventeen, Roy went to Texas Christian University on a full scholarship. After graduation, he received a graduate degree from Rice University.

At Rice, Roy met and married Rachel Jennette Black in September of 1957. Together they shared more than 50 years of marriage, and had two sons, Odis Delmar House and Gary Francis House. Roy was a deeply committed and loving husband and father. In all of life, but especially in his family, he modeled what it means to follow Jesus's command in Luke 9:23: "If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me."

Roy worked for NL Baroid for many years as a petroleum engineer and patent agent. In 1980, he started and led Venture Innovations, Inc., a chemical research and development firm. He received more than 50 patents during his many years of research.

For the last several years, Roy enjoyed the loving companionship of Jeanne Slaydon whom he loved very much.

Roy's life was a sincere display of God's grace and mercy. He came to faith in Christ during his undergraduate years and served in early adulthood and in his later years. Most recently, he was a member of Bellaire United Methodist Church. Roy knew that he was a sinner saved by the amazing grace of God through His Son Jesus. He was eager to serve Jesus here by serving others, and eager to see Jesus and be with Him when it was time to go home.

Roy was predeceased by his parents, brothers and sisters, and his wife, Rachel. He is survived by his two sons, their wives, MaryLee and Lillian, five grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren, and his dearly loved friend and companion, Jeanne Slaydon. He was laid to rest in Magnolia Cemetery, Onalaska, Texas on July 26, 2024.