William "Bill" L. Boyd

Bill was born January 11, 1931, in Coshocton, OH, the son of Lester and Opal King Boyd. He married Carolyn Ida Emig on July 31, 1955, in Gahanna, OH; she preceded him in death on January 28, 2015. Bill was also preceded in death by his parents and brother, Dr. Richard A. Boyd.

He was a veteran of the US Navy in the Korean War where he served as a corpsman. Bill was particularly proud of circumnavigating the earth aboard the USS Worcester. He earned his bachelor’s degree from Capital University in Columbus, OH and his master’s degree in Healthcare Administration from The University of Chicago. Bill retired as Vice President of Memorial Medical Center in 1992 after 35 years. While there, he oversaw numerous building projects in campus expansion, served as Interim President, and supported the creation of the SIU School of Medicine. Bill was a longtime member of Christ Episcopal Church, serving on the vestry and managing the building and grounds. He was active in the Episcopal Diocese, Downtown Springfield, Inc. (where he received the Lifetime Achievement Award in 2009), and Boy Scout Troop 7. Bill especially enjoyed serving as Executive Director of Festival of Trees for many years and played in several bagpipe bands, including Springfield’s St. Andrew’s Society Pipes and Drums. He was also a long-standing official with the Illini Striders Track and Field team. Bill was a devoted husband and father.

He is survived by his children, Craig (Louann) Boyd of Town and Country, MO, Keith (Peggy) Boyd of St. Charles, MO, Leslie (Simon) Abrahms of Kansas City, MO, and Kent Boyd of Springfield, IL; nine grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; and sister, Leann Boyd Smith of Columbia, SC.

Cremation was provided by Butler Cremation Tribute Center.

A private family burial with military honors will be held at Camp Butler National Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made to Memorial Medical Center Foundation, 701 N. First St., Springfield, IL 62781.

The family is being served by Boardman-Smith Funeral Home, 800 South Grand Avenue West, Springfield, IL.