Bill was born February 24, 1917 in Houston, Mississippi. He attended 13 schools throughout Texas and Mississippi before graduating from Houston (Miss.) High School in 1934. In May of 1937, Bill returned to Houston, Mississippi where the Corsicana-based contracting firm of E.W. Hable and Sons provided him with an invaluable apprenticeship in the construction of roads and highways. On June 28, 1942 he married Tim Barton in Cushing, Texas and in 1945 W.R. Boyd, Incorporated was organized with Bill being the President and controlling stockholder. A short two years later, the corporation qualified as a prime contractor under the exacting standards of the Texas Highway Department and by 1967 Bill was the sole stockholder in the company.

After 24 years in construction, W.R. Boyd was elected president of the Texas Highway-Heavy Branch of the Associated General Contractors (AGC) in 1969. This organization represents the highway and heavy contractors of Texas and at this time was one of the five largest contractor associations in the United States. At that time, approximately 95% of the highway construction in Texas is performed by this group of contractors. This achievement would go down as the pinnacle of a 73 year career.

Other professional achievements include, AGC National Life Director and Chairman of Joint State Department of Highways, and Public Transportation Committee.

State Committee Chairs included Environmental/Quality Control, Nominating, and Public Affairs.  He was appointed by the Bureau of International Commerce and Road Builders' Assoc. to a Trade Mission to Central America.  He represented Texas Hot Mix Association on the National Board of Governors. He served as president of both the Texas Good Roads Transportation Association and Texas Asphalt Paving Association.

W.R. Boyd was a member of the East Texas Chamber of Commerce and the Center Chamber of Commerce. A Shriner, he was a charter member of Sharon Temple, Tyler. He was also a member of the First United Methodist Church of Center and past member of the Board. Hobbies included fishing, hunting, golf, flying and collecting antique automobiles. Bill was a "Southern Gentlemen" and gracious host to all, a true celebrant of life who lived every day with passion.

Bill is survived by the love of his life, wife of 70 years, Tim Boyd of Cushing; one daughter and son-in-law, Yancy and George Bradford of Fort Worth; two grandchildren, Phoebe and her husband, William Carl Moore, Jr. of Dallas, Michael Graydon Fleming, Jr. and his wife, Jana of Tulsa, Oklahoma; five great-grandchildren, Graydon Elizabeth Moore of Dallas, Watson Riley Fleming of Tulsa, Oklahoma, Davis Boyd Fleming of Tulsa, Oklahoma, Riley Kathryn Moore of Dallas, Hughes Michael Fleming of Tulsa, Oklahoma; beloved nieces and nephews.

Pall Bearers include:
Frank E. Parker, Jr.
James Crelia
Robert "Bob"Havran
Michael G. Fleming
Tim Byrne
Tom Johnson

Honorary Pall Bearers include:
James Campbell
Gail Cuculic
Malcolm Weaver
Doug Pitcock
W.I. Davis, Jr.

Visitation will be held from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., Wednesday, June 5, 2013 at Watson & Sons Funeral Home in Center.  Funeral service will be held at 1:00 p.m., Thursday, June 6, 2013 at First United Methodist Church in Center with Rev. Joel McMahon officiating.  A private family burial will be held at Cushing Community Cemetery in Cushing.

Memorial donations may be made to First United Methodist Church, 211 Porter Street, Center, Texas 75935.