Howard Wyatt Boxley

Boxley, Howard Wyatt
Dec. 6, 1923 - Aug. 19, 2014
Howard Wyatt Boxley, 90, lately of Sarasota and formerly of Cumming, GA, died at Doctor's Hospital in Sarasota FL on August 19, 2014 of complications of Parkinson's disease. He was born December 6, 1923 in Marked Tree, AR to Wyatt & Ada Mae (Sowders) Boxley. As a 2nd Lt., he piloted B-24 Liberators with the 15th Air Force for 30 bombing missions in Austria & Italy, crash landing twice. He got a B.S. in Business at the University of Arkansas and was a supervisor at the Olin-Winchester ammunition plant in East Alton, IL. There he married the love of his life, Shirley, and started their family. He went on to manage steel and chemical plants, retiring in 1990.
Howard traveled around the world twice. He played trumpet, sang baritone, danced and enjoyed classical & big band music. He was active on the building committees of two churches, and he helped fund the building of 7 churches in 5 states, most recently St. Thomas More. He was a 45-year Optimist Club member, a docent at ZooAtlanta and a Junior Achievement mentor. He was a family historian, tracing his line back over 1000 yrs. Howard was Democrat, a fervent Arkansas Razorback football fan and alumni. Howard was the most loyal & loving husband one could wish for and the best role model for calm determination, good humor, honorableness, quiet responsibility and pure gentleman-ness that any of his children could hope for.
Howard is survived by his wife of 61 years, Shirley (Bell) Boxley and two sons, Robert Kent (Valeria Sloan) Boxley of Sarasota and David Wyatt (Fabiola Cruz) Boxley of Colorado Springs, Co., 6 grandchildren: David Wyatt (Lisa) II, Amber Elizabeth, Randy Wyatt, Amanda Haydee, Jessica Brittany and Valeria Jean Mei Sloan Boxleys, and 5 Great-grandchildren: Summer Elizabeth, Hunter Wyatt, Zachary Thomas. Colton Kenneth, & Jacqueline Elizabeth Boxleys. He was predeceased by a daughter, Kathleen Ann (Rick) McGill and his siblings: Virginia Bird (Boxley) McCarthy and John Edward Boxley.
Howard's memorial service will take place at St. Thomas More Catholic Church at 9:30am on Fri., August 22, 2014 with a reception following. He will be buried in Marked Tree Cemetery in his hometown at a later ceremony. Memorial donations should be sent to Parkinson's Place and Optimist International.