William (Bill) Dawson Boyd of El Paso, Texas, age 85, died peacefully at home on Friday January 30th, surrounded by his loving family. Bill was born in Cisco, TX to the late Lory Elmer and Hazel Dawson Boyd. He graduated from Odessa High School, and Oklahoma University with a professional degree in Architecture, and served in the US Army for two years. Bill and his wife Joanne met and married in Midland, TX, in 1956, and move to El Paso in 1959. Bill opened Boyd & Associates Architects in 1968 and has continually worked as an architect until days before his death. He was member of the local chapter of The American Institute of Architects and developed a strong reputation in the El Paso area as an architect, with specialties in designing churches, public buildings, and historic renovations. His many clients and colleagues knew Bill to be a man of high integrity, innovative design, and high standards. As a long time member of Trinity First United Methodist Church, Bill led bible study classes, served on the Building Committee and Administrative Board, and sang in the Choir. For many years Bill has been an active member of the Downtown Lions Club, holding various positions and frequently designing and helping to build the Thanksgiving Day parade floats. On many golf courses in the area, Bill enjoyed playing the links and walking the course, and for many years he skipped using a cart as he preferred to pull his own bag of clubs. Bill was healthy and vital for 85 years, devoted to his family and church, engaged thoroughly in the art and business of architecture, delighted by his granddaughters, and always ready with a song and a smile. Bill loved life fully and was not afraid of death. He will be greatly missed. Bill is survived by his wife of 58 years, Joanne H. Boyd of El Paso, his son David Boyd and his wife Colleen of Petaluma, CA , his daughter Susan Boyd Booher and husband Jim Booher of El Paso, and his two beautiful granddaughters: Emily Beth Booher of El Paso, currently studying at Southwestern University, and Anna Sophia Boyd of Petaluma, CA. Bill is survived by his siblings Patty Boyd Gage of Houston, TX and Jack Boyd and his wife Nancy, of Austin, TX and their families. In addition, the Himmel families from Aledo and Midlothian, TX, the Strickland family from Austin TX, the Burroughs family from Ripon, CA, and the Day family from Houston, TX, will be arriving in El Paso for the services. For those individuals who would like to make a donation in Bill's name, a project near to his heart is the Embers to Flame Capital Campaign for Building Improvements of the historic Trinity First United Methodist Church. A viewing will be held on Sunday February 1st, 2-6 PM in The Chapel of Trinity First United Methodist Church, 801 North Mesa Street, El Paso, TX 79902. Services will be held Monday February 2nd, at 11:00 AM, with a reception to follow, at Trinity First United Methodist Church, 801 North Mesa Street, El Paso, TX 79902. After the services, the body will be laid to rest at Restlawn Memorial Park. Services under the direction of HILLCREST FUNERAL HOME. 5054 Doniphan 915-587-0202



Published in El Paso Times from Jan. 31 to Feb. 7, 2015