Extracted from The San Diego Union Tribune (San Diego, CA)
Wednesday, July 17, 2013

Boyce, William

LA JOLLA -- On Thursday, July 11, 2013, William Henry Boyce, passed away.

Bill was born April 21, 1921, and celebrated his 92nd birthday last spring. Bill and his six brothers and sisters grew up on a farm in northwest Nebraska during the Great Depression. He worked nights in a hospital to pay for college expenses and flying lessons. In 1940, at the age of 19, Bill received his private pilot's license, and in 1942 he earned his Bachelor's of Science degree from Chadron College, Nebraska.

Upon graduation, with his college degree and pilot's license in hand, he was immediately drafted into the Army Air Corps. He piloted nine different B-17 Flying Fortresses including the frequently flown, “Miss Florala.” Bill engaged in 35 combat missions over German-occupied territory in 1944-45. He was awarded nine combat citations, including the Air Medal with 5 Oak Leaf Clusters, several theatre ribbons, and the “Distinguished Flying Cross.” His “Navigator's log” makes engrossing reading, as it chronicles all 35 completed missions - as well as several equally dangerous “scrubbed” flights, in harrowing detail. He is remembered on an honor plaque at the Mt. Soledad Veterans Memorial.

Following his honorable discharge from the military, Bill married Ella Marie Hawthorne, from Louisiana. They relocated to the San Diego area, and for the next 68 years resided in Ocean Beach, San Diego, and finally, La Jolla. He toyed with the idea of becoming a commercial pilot, but decided that living in one location - in San Diego - was better for his growing family.

Bill began his aeronautical engineering career as an Apprentice Tool Designer at Solar, for $.78 per hour. The company changed names and ownership 5 times (Solar, Solar Turbine, Turbomach, Caterpillar, Sundstrand). The one constant was that each company just kept promoting Bill. He became “Lead Man,” then “Manufacturing Engineer,” and then “Chief Tool Designer.” He performed a major role with the team that developed the evolving design of gas turbine engines in the 1950s. His company sent him to many European turbine manufacturing companies to consult on their turbine engine issues.

In 1976, Bill became the engineer in charge of the new Radial Engine Group. Toward the end of his 45-year engineering career, he was involved in Purchasing and Field Service, helping to set up Test Cells, and traveling for Power Systems, working with suppliers throughout America and Europe. He retired 45 years later as “Project Engineer” at Sundstrand, in charge of coordinating the expansion of the Power Systems facility.

Around his neighborhood, Bill had the reputation of being able to fix anything mechanical, and his garage became the hangout for all the kids: fixing cars, bikes, toys - everything. Bill loved Big Band swing music. He was quite the dancer and delighted in “cutting the rug” with Marie - his life- companion of 68 years - enjoying square dancing with her for several years. In addition to business travels, Bill also traveled with Marie and his family to Germany, Belgium, England, Italy, Australia, China, and Spain.

Bill enjoyed 92 productive years of life, whether it be working on engineering projects, tinkering in his garage, tending his gardens and fruit trees, or cheering for his beloved Chargers. Old timers will remember Bill as the Bingo Meister at Solar picnics. At the time of his death he resided at The Vi at La Jolla Village.

Bill is known for his intelligence and dry wit, for his slightly impish humor and love of teasing banter. His many successes in both business and personal relations result partly from his tenacity and ability to focus on whatever issue he was engrossed with, plus his undying patience with everyone he touched. He could charm everyone in the room, but always achieved quality results and respect from those around him, whether family, business associates, management personnel or workers who were under his charge.

William H. Boyce is survived by his wife, Ella Marie, daughters Debbie Boyce of Dallas, Texas, and Patsy Kirk and son-in-law Gerry Kirk of La Mesa, California, and son, Bill Boyce, Jr. of Henderson, Nevada.

A memorial service is planned for Thursday, July 18, at 10:00 a.m. at El Camino Cemetery in Sorrento Valley.