William R. Boyd, Jr.

Bill Boyd, 103, a World War II veteran, passed away on Thursday, September 28, 2023, at his home. He exited this world, with his family by his side, after a life well lived in service to his family, community and country.

Bill was born the eldest of three sons on July 6, 1920, to William R. Boyd, M.D. (Wanphia Spiechee) and Lillian (Dettman) Boyd, R.N., in Cleveland, OH. His family moved to Willoughby, OH in 1922 where he spent his youth with his brothers and friends, graduating from the former Willoughby Union High School in 1938.

Following high school, Bill attended Hiram College studying political science and economics before being inducted into the U.S. Army for service during World War II. The Army was where he met his future wife, Maxine Montz, a registered nurse.

After his honorable discharge from the Army in 1946, Bill returned to Hiram College completing his degree, in 1947. Bill and Maxine were wed on December 12, 1948, and moved to Mentor where they raised their three children Winona, Beverly and Bill. Bill and Max enjoyed their retirement winters in the Florida Keys, along with a wonderful community of friends. An active couple, they were married 60 years prior to Maxine’s death at age 85 in 2008.

Bill began his career with Hargrove Reality in Willoughby, selling homes to young couples who often became lifelong friends. In the mid 1960’s, Bill joined First Federal Savings and Loan in Willoughby and led their real estate division and subsidiaries, developing properties and subdivisions throughout Lake County. He continued in executive roles as First Federal became Charter One Bank (now Citizens) until his retirement in 1985. Throughout his career he maintained a broker’s license and started Boyd Reality in Mentor providing opportunity for independent agents.

Bill’s and Maxine’s strong sense of community and volunteering was rooted in a desire to give back and contribute on behalf of those who were unable, after paying the ultimate sacrifice of war. Bill began community service as zoning inspector for Mentor Township in 1949, elected eight years as township trustee, followed by eight years as a Mentor City Councilman, serving the last two years as council president and mayor. His vison for joining Mentor Township and Mentor Village came together in 1963. At the time, he applied his real estate knowledge by securing the land purchase of what is now the Mentor Civic Center Complex.

He was the first chairman of Lake County Emergency Medical Services board and Lake County Disaster Services during the construction of Perry Nuclear Power Plant. Bill was active in Mentor United Methodist Church, serving for many years on the finance committee. After moving to Leroy Township in 1999, Bill helped with the design and construction of the Leroy Community Senior Center.

A Master Mason in Willoughby Lodge 302 for nearly 70 years, and a member of Al Koran Shrine for over 50 years, Bill spent two decades driving youth to Shriner Hospitals in Pennsylvania and Ohio with the East Side Transportation Team. He and Maxine volunteered for many years with the Mentor Shrine Circus, raising money for Shrine Hospital’s free medical care.

An avid hunter, fisherman, trap shooter and outdoorsman, he and a small group of other veterans put together Weslaco Sportsman Club in 1954. The club flourishes 69 years later under the basic bylaws of the founders. Bill felt privileged to be a 2009 Honor Flight recipient to the World War II Memorial in Washington, D.C.

Late in life, Bill met Norma McDonald and they shared seven wonderful years together as companions, wintering in the Florida Keys and summering in Leroy.

Bill was preceded in death by his wife Maxine and his daughter, Winona Webber. His parents; brothers, Wanphia and John Boyd; sister-in-law, Maria Boyd; niece, Linda Rome and companion, Norma McDonald are also deceased.

Bill is survived by his children, Beverly (George) Nash and William (Laura) Boyd; eight grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. He also leaves his son-in-law, Henry Webber; Norma’s daughter, Nancy Humphries and the extended Rome families.

Services and celebration of his life will be held Sunday, October 29, 2023, 2:00 PM at Thompson Church on the Square, (formerly Thompson United Methodist Church, on the square in Thompson), 6748 Madison Road, Thompson, OH. Fellowship, food and reception to follow.

In lieu of flowers, please contribute to Bill’s favorite organization, Al Koran Shriners Children’s Hospital Transportation Fund, PO Box 81184, Cleveland, OH 44181; Weslaco Sportsman’s Club Conservation Fund, PO Box 902, Mentor, OH 44061 or the Indian Museum of Lake County, PO Box 883, Willoughby, OH 44096.