William accepted Christ at an early age and was currently a member of New Galilee Baptist Church. He was educated at Central Memorial High School in Bogalusa, LA and then he also attended Grambling State University in Ruston, LA, where he was a member of their marching band. It was also there that he met his wife, Venechor. They were married on January 11, 1969. Later in life William graduated from culinary school in New York; he loved to cook!
While at Grambling State, William pledged Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc. William joined the Masonic Order in Wisdom Lodge No. 123 of Bogalusa, La in 1992. Upon moving to Cleveland he joined William T. Boyd Lodge No. 79, where he served as Worshipful Master and Queen Elizabeth Chapter No. 9, where he served as Worthy Patron three times. William an active member and Honorary Past Potentate of El Hasa Temple No. 28; playing the tuba in the Drum & Bugle Corp; he played the piano as well. He was also PHP of Cuyahoga Chapter No. 36 RAM, PTIM of Adoniram Council No. 1 Royal and Select Masters, PWJ of Cuyahoga Court No. 2 Heroines of Jericho, PEC of Emanuel Commandery No. 32 Knights Templar, and SP of Bezaleel Consistory No. 15.
William was preceded in death by his parents: William Boyd, Sr. and Jeanette W. Boyd; two brothers: Albert L. Boyd and Kerry R. Boyd.
He leaves to cherish his loving and devoted wife: Venechor Basil Boyd; one daughter: Darling Williams (Plaquemine, LA); two grandchildren: Diecea Boyd and James Williams, III.; three great grandchildren: Da'Marion Lee, Da'Niyaha Boyd, and Da'Marious Boyd all of Plaquemine, LA; three sisters, Ella Mae Greenley (Bogalusa, LA), Jeanette (January) Mulaula (DeSoto, TX), and Veronica (Frank) Boley (Baton Rouge, LA); two brothers: Earnest (Beverly) Boyd and Sylvester (Brenda) Boyd (CA); one sister-in-law: Portia (Cleveland) Domino; three brothers-in-law: Reginald Basil, Frank (Theresa) Basil, and John (Yvette) Basil all of Plaquemine, LA; three nieces: Sharon V. Smith, Nakia N. Peters, both of Cleveland, Ohio and Jacquline E. Burns of Maricopa, AZ; along with a host of other nieces, nephews, cousins, relatives and friends.