Gregory Boyd, Sr.
CELEBRATING THE LIFE AND MEMORY OF GREGORY BOYD, SR.
I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness… 2 Timothy 4:7-8
Gregory Boyd, Sr. was born on August 19, 1953 to Lawrence Pernell and Mary Ellen Boyd of La Grange, Illinois.
Greg was preceded in death by his father, three sisters , two brothers, stepfather, stepdaughter, stepson and
stepson-in-law:: Lawrence Boyd, Sr., Carolyn & Marilyn McSwine, Peggy Ann (aka Willie) Boyd, Lawrence Boyd, Jr., Fred McSwine, Jr , Fred McSwine, Sr., Kecia Byndum and Lyle Waller and Ameir Smith.
Greg was a member of Sign of the Cross, Church under Pastor Marcus Washington.
Greg attended school in La Grange and Robbins, Illinois. After high school, he became a member of the PEACE Corp and served in the United States Marine Corp for 4 years and an additional 2 years in the United States Navy — where he specialized in underwater welding.
Greg worked as a welder at Marland One-Way Clutch Company in La Grange, IL several years and retired from Electro Motive Division.
Greg embraced life with such vigor, he was a hard worker and established three businesses: janitorial, moving and extermination.
Greg enjoyed sharing with others about the heritage of Black History and he was an active member of “Operation Push”.
Greg was not only a mentor, but also a father figure to many including: Gerald Chamberlain, Shamika Chamberlain, Heavyn Washington, Brennen Boykin, Aaron Washington Sr., and Mark Melton.
Greg fought a good fight and passed away peacefully on Monday, January 27th, 2025 with his Beloved partner Kyle Washington by his side.
Greg leaves to cherish his loving memory: mother, Mary Ellen McSwine, Broadview, IL; wife, Doretha Boyd, Columbus, Missouri; Beloved partner, Kyle Washington, La Grange, IL; Brother, Carl (Bessie) Boyd, LaGrange, IL; Sisters, Cynthia Boyd and Shirley (Sam) Douglass, Broadview, IL; sons: Shawn Molton, Addison, IL; Gregory Boyd, Jr., Champaign, IL; Justin (Shamika) Washington, LaGrange, IL; Damien Choyce Washington, Los Angeles, CA; Keith Byndum and Valentino Byndum, Champaign, IL; daughters: Ebony Washington (Robert) Mitchell, Chicago, IL; Latisha Byndum, Jefferson City, Missouri; his ride or die, Lionell Hill (aka June Bug), Chicago, IL; twenty-five grandchildren, twenty-five great-grandchildren and a host of other relatives and friends.
Although I didnt know Mr. Boyd I knew many of the same people. I grew up with Kyle and Bessie. We went to grade school and highschool together. I was lucky enough to see them at our grade school and highschool reunion. I am very sorry for your loss and please know I am thinking of you at this difficult time.
I had the pleasure of getting to know Mr. Boyd at the Village of La Grange Finance window 6+ years ago. He always made my day! The amount of love and pride he had for his family shined through all of our conversations. From teaching his granddaughter to drive to the BBQ gatherings he had had going on with neighbors – he was thrilled to tell me about it. He was just as interested in how I was doing and how my girls were and our mothers. Such a big heart for such a small man! 🙂 Meeting Mr. Boyd was a true blessing, and I am honored to have called him friend! My deepest condolences to his family and friends. My heart is heavy knowing my conversations at the Village Hall window will be no more, but my heart is light knowing he is with his Father and at Peace.
“May The Lord bless you and keep you; May the Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you; May the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace.”’