Joseph Alexander “Joe” Boyd, 93, of Lebanon, Indiana died peacefully August 5, 2023. He was born in Pearland, Texas on June 22, 1930 and was the third of eleven children born to William Robert Boyd and Bessie (Harness) Boyd. He graduated from high school in Alvin, Texas in 1947 and then attended Friends Bible College (now Barclay College) in Haviland, Kansas. There he met Wilda Oliver of Penrose, Colorado; they were married in Penrose on August 19, 1953. Her minister father officiated. Joe and Wilda enjoyed 66 years of marriage before Wilda passed away in May of 2020.
Joe continued his education by earning a Bachelor of Arts degree from Friends University in Wichita, Kansas and a Master of Education degree from Washburn University in Topeka, Kansas. He was a recorded (ordained) minister in the Evangelical Friends (“Quaker”) Church and served as pastor of their church in Belleville, Kansas for twelve years. His main career, however, was that of teacher and administrator in Kansas public schools for some forty years. He was an elementary classroom teacher in Belleville, an elementary principal in Shallow Water and Collyer, and eventually retired as Director of Curriculum in WaKeeney after holding that position for nineteen years. Following his retirement, they continued living in WaKeeney until they moved to Indiana in 2006.
During his time as minister and teacher, Joe was a steadfast pillar in the community and the definition of a servant leader. He was strong in stature but gentle in spirit, practicing compassion in both word and deed. His family knew him to be generous, loyal, and patient beyond measure. He was an accomplished singer with a rich baritone voice, and gave many gospel music performances over the years, both as a soloist and as part of numerous vocal groups. In the early years of their retirement, Joe and Wilda loved traveling the United States to visit family and as many state capitals as they could. Later in life, Joe enjoyed the slower pace of reading, working crossword puzzles, and monitoring the stock market.
Joe and Wilda raised two sons and a daughter, all of whom survive: Paul and wife Paula of Derby, Kansas; David and wife Suzanne of Greeley, Colorado; and Joyce Scott and husband Rick of Lebanon, Indiana. Their seven grandchildren are Alex Boyd and wife Alisha of Ogden, Utah; Becky Johnson and husband Danny of Waverly, Iowa; Hannah Boyd and fiancé Daniel Boesche of Derby, Kansas; Christina Shouse and husband Tim of Lebanon, Indiana; Chelsey Phillips and husband Todd of Fillmore, Indiana; Stephanie Venis and husband David of Tuscola, Illinois; and Stacie Richardson and husband Trent of Lebanon, Indiana. They also have 12 great-grandchildren.
No formal funeral services are planned for Joe. His cremated remains will be interred at Browns Wonder Cemetery near Lebanon. The family will gather later for a time of remembrance. Memorial gifts to Barclay College, 607 North Kingman, Haviland, Kansas 67059 would be appropriate and greatly appreciated.
Myers Mortuary in Lebanon has been entrusted with his care.
Online condolences: www.MyersMortuary.com