10-Aug-2011

BOYD, William E. "Bill," 88, passed away August 10, 2011. He was a loving father, grandfather, great-grandfather, son, brother, uncle and friend. Bill was the son of the late William and Myrtle (Johnson) Boyd of Point Pleasant Beach, N.J., where he was born July 27, 1923, and raised. Bill served in the Canadian Army before becoming a member of the 5th Ranger Battalion of the U.S. Army during World War II. He was proud to have been part of the Battle of the Bulge and the Invasion of Normandy Beach on D-Day. He received multiple honors and medals, including two Purple Heart Medals for his service. Bill was so proud to be a "Ranger" and continued to participate in all Ranger and veteran activities up until the time of his death. He was an avid sports fan, loved to have conversations and make everyone laugh. He will always be remembered for his stubbornness and way of doing whatever he could for all his loved ones. Bill was a hero for all his grandchildren to admire. Bill was predeceased by his wife, Marianne (Andrick) Boyd; his brother, Arthur H. Boyd; and his sisters, Mrytle Boyd O'Hare, Olive Boyd Margardt and Harriet Boyd. He is survived by his loving family, daughter, Cynthia Carey and her husband, Timothy Carey, of Houston, Texas; son, William F. Boyd and his fiancee, Fanny Darmiento of Sun City Center, Fla.; and daughter, Joanne Boyd and her fiance, George Herridge, of Sun City Center, Fla. Bill is also survived by his 14 grand-children, nine great-grand-children and several nieces and nephews. Services will take place at 11 a.m. August 24, 2011, at Prince of Peace Catholic Church, Sun City Center, Fla., and at 11 a.m. August 29, 2011, at St. Peter's Church, Point Pleasant Beach, N.J., with burial to follow. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be sent in Bill's name to the U.S. Army Ranger Association Inc., Attn: Donations, P.O. Box 52126, Fort Benning, GA 31995-2126.