Fremont, NH – William “Bill” Ray Boyd, 70, of Fremont, New Hampshire, passed away peacefully at home, surrounded by his family, on September 12, 2026. Bill was born on September 24, 1955, in Bethesda, Maryland, to Ruth Owen and Robert T. Boyd. He was the youngest of three boys in aproud Navy family.
Bill spoke fondly of growing up in the South on a farm in Virginia Beach. He helped raise the animals, fished off the pier, camped on the beach, and got into all the fun three boys could find. And, of course, he followed his older brothers, Kenny and Robert Jr. (“Skip”), everywhere they went. He always appreciated his upbringing and the era he grew up in.
In 1974, Bill joined the Navy, following in the footsteps of his father and grandfather, both of whom were war veterans. He rose to the rank of Petty Officer Third Class, starting out in the engine room as a “snipe” and later serving as a firefighter aboard the USS Blandy. He spoke of that ship with great pride and was among the last crewmen aboard before she was decommissioned. He passed the lessons of his Navy years down to his family, sometimes in small ways, like always rolling your clothes instead of folding them when you pack for a trip.
The Navy took Bill all over the world, but it was while he was stationed in Boston that he met his first wife, Leslie Donahue. They married in 1976 and soon moved to Virginia, where they opened their first business, a garden center. Anyone who knew Bill knew he had a true green thumb. They eventually sold the business and returned to Massachusetts, settling in Winthrop. Along with running his own landscaping business, Bill worked for Piedmont Airlines and later US Airways. Working for the airlines in those years gave him the chance to see even more of the world, and he took full advantage of it, often sharing that benefit with family and friends.
In 1986, Bill became a father for the first time, and again in 1988. Being a dad was the role he cherished most and the greatest accomplishment of his life. When his boys were little, Bill passed along his love of the outdoors by taking them camping. He taught them how to fish, signed them up for horseback riding lessons, bought them their first bikes, and ran alongside them until they could ride on their own. Whatever his sons were interested in, he took an interest in too. There was always a dog in the house to love and care for, and his kindness toward animals is something he passed on to his sons.
Bill and Leslie separated in 1990, but that never kept him from being a dad. No matter the distance, Bill made the long drive, sometimes a three-hour round trip, every weekend to pick up his boys. He never missed a chance to see them. Those weekends were full: trips to the movies and the arcade, stops for the newest video game or a visit to the card store, and making sure they always had the newest, coolest pair of shoes. He took his eldest son to his first Patriots and Red Sox games, and at home, every TV timeout and halftime was a chance to head outside and throw the football around. He took his boys to Disney World and Universal Studios more than once. Bill was also a great cook with a few staple dishes: sausage biscuits and gravy for breakfast, and meatloaf, mashed potatoes, and lima beans for dinner.
As his sons grew, so did the lessons. He was always there to lend a supportive ear and his best advice. A true jack-of-all-trades, he taught his eldest how to cook and handle mechanical fixes, and when it was time for college, he made sure he had everything he needed, and then some. Even as adults, his sons knew who to call for advice on landscaping, home repairs, or life in general. Most of all, Bill always picked up the phone. He was, simply, a great dad.
In 1992, while both were working at Manchester Airport, Bill met Bridget Hines. The two hit it off right away, and it was clear to everyone around them that Bill had found his soulmate. They married in November 1993 and shared more than 32 years together. They loved to travel, especially to St. Maarten, and to explore New England, and through every season of life, they took care of each other. Through Bridget, Bill also gained a second family. The Hines family welcomed him and his sons with open arms, and in them he found kindness, love, and a true sense of belonging.
As the years went on, their days were full of simple joys. They loved watching the Patriots together, and Bridget even came to enjoy his favorite old TV shows. They were so in sync that they often finished each other’s sentences, and whenever one of them had an idea, the other was already thinking the same thing. They were best friends, and theirs was the kind of love everyone should get to experience.
Bill had a mischievous side and loved a good prank. On New Year’s Eve 1999, with the whole world worried about Y2K, the family threw a millennium party. As the clock struck midnight, Bill slipped downstairs unnoticed and cut the power. The whole house went into a panic. Then the lights came back on, and Bill came up the stairs laughing.
One Easter, before the kid’s egg hunt, he told the older boys he had hidden a special egg with a $100 bill inside to spend at the card store. They spent the whole day searching without luck. Then his youngest son, Shawn, appeared from around the corner with the bill in hand. Years later, Bill finally admitted the truth: there was no $100 egg, Bill handed Shawn the money himself and it was just another legendary prank. Anyone who knew Bill can probably remember a time or two when he got them, and they’ll be laughing about those stories for years to come.
Bill was larger than life and will be missed by all who knew him. He will be remembered as a loving husband and father and a world-class prankster with a big heart and a kind soul. He is survived by his wife, Bridget Boyd; his sons, Chris and Shawn Boyd; his daughter-in-law Brooke Boyd, his grandchildren, Leo and Evelyn Boyd; his brothers, Kenny and Skip Boyd; and his in-laws, Janet and Jim Hines. He was predeceased by his parents, Robert T. and Ruth (Owen) Boyd.
A celebration of life will be held on October 25, 2026, at 10 AM at the Belmont Hall in Manchester, New Hampshire.
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