William Watts Boyd

Mr. William Watts Boyd, 81, of Mount Airy, passed from this life on Saturday, September 23, 2017. He was born June 6, 1936, in Winston-Salem. William was adopted at birth by Thomas and Agnes Peterson Boyd. From his father, he learned the value of hard work and how to “fix” almost anything. Later in his life, his mother-in-law said, “Bill is as handy as a doorknob!” His children thought that if something was broken, “Daddy can fix it.” From his mother, a descendent of an early cabinet maker in Old Salem, Bill learned to treasure everything historical. He graduated from Gray High School and joined the United States Navy, where he retired after a 20-year career as a machinist mate. He then went to Appalachian State University, on the G. I. Bill, and majored in industrial arts. He taught Career Exploration at Gentry Middle School and Pilot Mountain Middle School, retiring again after 22 years. In 1962, while home on leave, he met Greta Moser on a “blind date.” They were married in December 1963 at Grace Moravian Church in Mount Airy. Greta finished that school year in Winston-Salem as a first year teacher and vowed she would not live apart from Bill any more except, of course, when his ship was at sea. They were stationed in Mayport, Florida, Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, and Great Lakes, Illinois. They were blessed with three sons: Kerry and Dayne were born in Guantanamo Bay and Nathan was born at Great Lakes. Bill and Greta shared many interests: love of travel, Broadway shows and plays, museums and historical sites, and reading. The family called “Historical Markers” “Hysterical Markers.” If Bill missed one while driving, he would turn around to read it. Bill enjoyed model railroading, woodworking, and many hobbies. He was happy when he could make some furniture/wood projects for a family member or friends. Through the years, he volunteered at the library, the museum, the Red Cross, Boy Scouts, at school, and coaching. Bill loved talking to people, especially strangers. He said he learned many interesting things from them. When their grandson was born and three years later a granddaughter, Bill loved his time spent babysitting them. Bill was predeceased by his parents, Thomas and Agnes Peterson Boyd; a brother, Tommy Boyd; and his in-laws, Cletius and Ola Moser. He is survived by his wife of 53 years; his sons, Kerry Boyd and his wife, Bonnie, of Los Alamos, NM, Dayne Boyd and his wife, Ashley, of Charlotte, and Nathan Boyd of Chicago IL; his grandchildren, Emmett and Rowan Boyd of Charlotte; a grand niece, Kendall Oakley of Mount Airy; a sister-in-law, Deborah Beasley and her husband, Chuck; a sister-in-law, Portia Oakley; a brother-in-law, Arnold Moser; a brother-in-law, Roy Oakley; and many nieces and nephews. The celebration of Bill’s life will be held Wednesday, September 27, 2017, at Grace Moravian Church. Visitation with the family will begin at 1:30 PM and the service will begin at 3:00 PM. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Grace Moravian Church, 1401 North Main Street, Mount Airy, NC 27030; The Mount Airy Public Library, 145 Rockford Street, Mount Airy, NC 27030; or The Mount Airy Museum of Regional History, 301 North Main Street, Mount Airy, NC 27030. Moody Funeral Services in Mount Airy is serving the family.

Visitation

Celebration of Life