Boyd Wayne Hudgens passed away on Tuesday, September 19, 2023, at the age of 66. Services will be held at East Paris Baptist Church at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 23rd with Wade White officiating. Private burial will be at Allen's Point Cemetery, north of Honey Grove. Bright-Holland Funeral Home has charge of arrangements. Boyd was born November 13, 1956 in Honey Grove, TX, to Troyce Juan and Laverta Ann (Edelhauser) Hudgens. They preceded him in death. He was also preceded in death by his only son, Kevin Lyn Hudgens, on October 6, 2015. He is survived by his wife, Debbie Hudgens, his grandsons Clayton and Wesley Hudgens, and their mother Wendi, all of Paris. He is also survived by three sisters, Lenora Gauldin of Tulsa, OK, Tajuana Boswell and husband Dave of Murphy, TX, Troiana Hoffman and husband Jason of Sulphur Springs, TX, sister-in-law and brother-in-law Bobby and Cindy Ray of Bagwell, TX; as well as one niece and two nephews. Boyd grew up in Honey Grove, Texas and became a Christian at an early age at Selfs Baptist Church. He received his Associates Degree in Electronics from Paris Junior College in 1977, and went on to earn a Bachelor of Science from East Texas State University (Texas A&M- Commerce). He retired from L-3 Communications in January 2014 after 37 years as a hardware and software design engineer. Due to his love of airplanes and flying he became a private pilot in 1983. He also loved to ride motorcycles, his last one being a 2016 Indian Chieftain. Boyd was a very talented and gifted musician, having played with over 25 different groups throughout his musical career. In 1979 he won the Oklahoma State Banjo Contest at Grant, OK. He was privileged to study steel guitar in Nashville, TN three years in a row, under two of the best players and teachers in the world. But his greatest joy was using the gift God gave him of playing music for Him. Boyd was a faithful member of East Paris Baptist Church and a member of the Praise Team, where played steel guitar every Sunday.
Special thanks to Dr. Devabrata Ganguly, April Brumley, Hospice RN, and the staff at Pine Tree Ranch, especially Kim Rhein, for all her wisdom and guidance. The family has asked that Memorials be made to: Honey Grove High School Band Booster Club, 1206 N. 17th St., Honey Grove, TX 75446.
Casket bearers are: Craig Bryant, Roy Hocutt, Clay Hudgens, Wes Hudgens, Bobby Ray, and Phil Johnson. Chad Coursey is an honorary bearer. Special honorary bearers are: Gary Moreland, Lanny Milton, Phillip Rozell, Bob Robinson, David Trout, Kelly Connell, and Mike Erwin.
