William Alfred “Bill” Boyd passed away peacefully Thursday, March 19, 2015, at the age of 98. Bill was born in Newark, NJ, on December 18, 1916 to George and Sara Boyd. He attended elementary school in New York, later moving to Atlanta, GA. He graduated from Boys High School in 1935 and Davidson College in North Carolina in June 1939. He then joined the Singer Company in Atlanta, GA.
In December 1940, he joined the 102nd Cavalry of the New Jersey National Guard. In 1941, Bill attended Officer Candidate School at Fort Knox, KY. Upon graduation, he transferred to the 13th Tank Battalion of the First Armored Division as it fought in North Africa and Italy during World War II.
Shortly after the war ended, Captain Boyd returned to the United States, ending five years of military service. During this period, he was awarded a Bronze Star and six major battle stars.
Bill rejoined Singer in early 1946 and married Kathryn (Kay) Moreman of Atlanta on July 20 of that year. In 1955, he was assigned to the Singer executive office and then later General Manager to develop an industrial parts distribution center, which was established in Murfreesboro, TN, in 1957.
Bill was an avid sports enthusiast but confined his active participation to golf, playing several days a week because he loved the competition and fellowship. Even into his 90s, his everyday goal was to shoot ten under his age.
Bill is preceded in death by his wife of 56 years, Kathryn (Kay) Moreman, and a sister, Jean B. Jones of Richmond, VA.
He is survived by sister, Sara (Peggy) B. Beard of Avondale Estates, GA; his children, Victoria B. Dougherty of Marietta, GA, Judy B. Pitts (Lynn) of Palm Beach Gardens, FL, and Savannah, GA, and Samuel G. Boyd II of Huntsville, AL; grandchildren, Sara Pitts of Savannah, GA, Emmy Wilcox (Mark) of Savannah, GA, and William S. Boyd of Huntsville, AL; great-grandchildren, Lyla and Harper Wilcox of Savannah, GA.
A private service will be held for the family at a later date.
Memorials may be sent to Linebaugh Public Library, 105 W. Vine St., Murfreesboro, TN 37130, or to the charity of your choice .
Published in The Daily News Journal from Mar. 29 to Mar. 31, 2015