Willard R. Boyd

1932 - 2016

Willard R. "Bud" Boyd, 83, of Ligonier, died Sunday, Oct. 23, 2016, at his home, assisted by the prayers and love of his family. He was born Nov. 23, 1932, in Ligonier Township, a son of the late Paul and Evelyn Penrod Boyd. Prior to his retirement in 1994, he had been employed by Latrobe Steel for over 30 years. Bud defended our country serving in the Army during the Korean War. He was a life member and former assistant chief of Ligonier Township Fire Company No. 1. He was a member of the First Church of the Brethren, Byers-Tosh, American Legion No. 267, and a former member of the Ligonier Township Sportsmen's Club. Bud graduated from Ligonier High School in 1952, where he was a first team all-county running back in football, and was the district scoring champion, having rushed for over 1,000 yards in his junior and senior years. His "Little Lily" will miss swinging on the swing with Bud. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by two sisters, Madolyn Lambert and Theda Miner; and a grandson, Nathan McInchok. Bud is survived by his loving wife of 61 years, Carol A. Smolleck Boyd; four children, Debra (John) McInchok, of Ligonier, Susan K. Boyd, of Wilpen, Dr. Erin (Timothy) Boyd-Soisson, of Dillsburg, and W. Barry (Mary) Boyd, of Ligonier; 10 grandchildren, Dana (David) Shannon, Michael McInchok, Jeni (Brian) Deemer, Kara (Derek) O'Brien, Timothy Boyd, Andrew and Matthew Blazkowski, Chelsea (Jim) Platt, and Faith and Shepard Soissin, 13 great-grandchildren, Quinn, Brock, Sami, Jenna, Zac, Bailey, Mason, Cillian, Casey, Zoe, Dominick, Lily, and Abigail; and two sisters, Sandy (Bruce) Smith, and Lou Ann (Edward) McKlveen, all of Ligonier.
Bud's friends and family will gather together from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday from at the J. PAUL MCCRACKEN FUNERAL CHAPEL INC., 144 E. Main St., Ligonier, and from 10 a.m. Wednesday until the time of service at 11 a.m. at the First Church of the Brethren. The Ligonier Valley Veteran's Honor Guard will hold services in the funeral chapel at 7 p.m. Tuesday, followed by the Ligonier Township Fire Company No. 1 at 7:30 p.m. Interment will follow in the Menoher Memorial Park.
The Boyd family wishes to extend their heartfelt gratitude to the nurses and staff at the Bethlen Home and Bethlen Hospice for the compassionate care afforded to Bud during his illness. To leave a condolence or tribute for Bud, please visit: www. jpaulmccrackenfuneralchapel.com.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions to the American Legion Scholarship Fund or to the First Church of the Brethren.