Willie Rufus Boyd

Mr. Willie Rufus Boyd, affectionately known as “Mr. Willie”, age 85, transitioned on Tuesday, August 22, 2023, surrounded by his wife and loved ones at Spartanburg Regional Hospice House in Spartanburg, SC. Mr. Willie was born May 11, 1938, to Jesse R and Maude Ruff Boyd in Laurens County, SC.

He attended Gallman High School. Early on he attended Mount Moriah AME Church and later became a member of Shiloh AME Church where he served as Trustee Steward and State Vice President of the Layman organization. He was employed at American Fiber and Finishing and the United States Postal Service totaling 42 years of service and commitment. Mr. Willie was an avid advocate for the Democratic Party on both the state and local levels. He was also the President of the United Textile Workers of America Union for 20 years. In addition, in the 1960’s he was employed as the first African American police officer in Prosperity, South Carolina. During his free time, he enjoyed cooking his special “stew spot” and sharing memories and experiences while interacting with others.

Mr. Boyd was predeceased by his first wife of 38 years, Minnie Y. Boyd, brothers, Johnny and Terry Boyd, sisters, Delores Jones, Deborah Boyd, Elizabeth Gallman and Alice Johnson and grandson, Joseph B. Mayers, Jr.

Mr. Boyd is survived by his wife, Aranetta Boyd of Newberry, SC; children, Barbara (Reverend Horace) Wilson, Spartanburg SC, Gwendolyn (Joseph) Mayers, Virginia Beach VA, Willa (Olanda) Sample, Durham NC, Quincy (Holly) Boyd, Charlotte NC;  Anita (Parnell) Gary, Columbia SC, James C. Chisholm, Atlanta GA, Joshua E. Chisholm, Cayce SC, Adrianna C. Chisholm, Newberry SC; brother, James Murray Boyd, Silverstreet, SC, sisters, Shirley Rutherford, Pomaria SC, Bertha (Collins) Kessler, Chapin SC, Mattie P. Williams, Newberry SC, Martha A. Boyd, Prosperity SC, Annette (Robert) Kinsler, Prosperity SC, Bonnie Holley, Newberry SC, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, mother-in-law, Margaret Wells Mozee, Newberry SC, two sisters-in-law, two brothers-in-law, nieces, nephews, family and friends.

Funeral services will be conducted on Sunday, August 27, 2023 at 2:00 pm at Shiloh AME Church.  Burial will follow in the church cemetery.  Visitation will be on Saturday, August 26, 2023 from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm at the Fred B. Pratt Memorial Chapel.

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