William R Boyd Sr.

William R. Boyd, Sr., age 80, Waynesville, NC died November 12, 2016 at Smoky Mountain Health and Rehabilitation Center. William R. Boyd, Sr. was born September 16, 1936 to the late James Robert Boyd, Jr. and Mary Kirkpatrick Boyd. He was the grandson of the late James Robert Boyd, Sr., and Mrs. Sally Campbell Boyd and Dr. William Lee Kirkpatrick and Mrs. Mary McCracken Kirkpatrick, also deceased. He is survived by two children, William Richard Boyd, Jr. and his wife April of Waynesville and Lisa Boyd Medford and her husband Alan of Tennessee; four grandchildren, Lindsey Medford, Dalton Medford, Andrew Boyd and Rachel Boyd. Mr. Boyd attended school at St. John’s Elementary, Central Elementary, Waynesville Jr. High, and graduated Waynesville Township High school in 1954. He attended Oakridge Military Academy in Oakridge NC where he was Battalion Bugler from 1954 through 1955. While at Oakridge Military Academy he joined the United States Army Reserve and served for 8 years from October 13, 1954 till October 12, 1962. He attended Western Carolina University at Cullowhee NC in 1955 and 1956. Mr. Boyd served active duty at Fort Jackson SC from August 4, 1957 through February 3, 1958 in the Infantry as a machine gun operator and a flame thrower expert. He was the holder of a US Army drivers’ license and was discharged as a Sergeant. Mr. Boyd served in the North Carolina State Defense Militia as a Captain on Colonel Thad Bryson’s staff during the Persian Gulf War, Operation Desert Shield, and Operation Desert Storm. Military service was part of his family history. All four great grandfathers, including John H. Boyd, Milas A Kirkpatrick, Wilburn A. Campbell and James M.L. McCracken fought for the Confederacy in the Civil War from 1861 till 1865. Mr. Boyd served the county of Haywood as a Special Reserve Deputy Sheriff from December 7, 1962 through December 31, 1986 under Sheriff Willis C. Beck, C. Jack Arrington and R. Thomas Alexander. Mr. Boyd began his working career with the A&P Tea Company as a stock boy during his 11th and 12th grade years, and later was employed by Boyd Wholesale Company and Boyd Riding Academy. In 1961, he became the owner/operator of the Burger Box Drive-In, and in 1963 was owner of Boyd Motor Company, Chrysler-Plymouth Agency. Mr. Boyd was raised in the First Methodist Church of Waynesville and has been a member since 1945. He was a member of the junior choir from 1948 through 1950 and a member of the senior choir from 1950 through 1954. Mr. Boyd was a third generation F.D.R. Democrat and a member of the Young Democrat Club of Haywood County from 1957 till 1970. He belonged to a number of Civic Organizations including American Legion Post 47, charter member of the Waynesville Historical Society, charter member of the Capt. Julius Welch Camp 229 Sons of Confederate Veterans, charter member of the National World War II Museum, NC Sheriffs Association, Waynesville Jaycees, B.P.O.E F.O.P Lodge 16, N.C.P.B.A. Mr. Boyd became a fan of NASCAR at the first race he attended at the old Hendersonville Fairgrounds in June of 1951, and was a member of NASCAR 1954, 1955, 1956. He was a fan of the Silver Screen Cowboy Convention since June 1986 and the Western North Carolina Film Festivals now in Asheville. Memorial services will be held at 3 PM Tuesday, November 15, 2016 at First United Methodist Church of with the Reverend Sandy Giles and Pastor Patrick Womack officiating. The family will receive friends on Monday, November 14, 2016 from 6 to 8 pm at Garrett Funeral Home. Burial will be held at Green Hill Cemetery. A Message of comfort may be left to the family and guest registry may be signed at www.garrettfuneralsandcremations.com