James Otis Boyce

Jim was born in Laredo, Texas in 1942 while his father worked for the US Army Corps of Engineers. After WWII, his family moved back to Austin and he remained here. Jim graduated from Austin HS in 1960 and joined the US Marine Corps, where he was honorably discharged in 1964. Upon his discharge, he returned to Austin to work for his father, "Bud" Boyce at Boyce Iron Works (BIW). He became president of Boyce Iron in 1970. Many of his accomplishments are still being seen today in the skylines of Austin and Houston. Of note is the world of Tennis and Rodeo Austin at the exposition center, formally known as Austin/Travis County Livestock Show.

In 1972, he and three other friends, Joe Heffington, George Holland, and Bob Ogden, opened the Depot, currently known as Don's Depot. He remained the managing partner until 1977. Another passion of Jim's was motorcycles. Jim, his father Bud, his brothers Curtis and Dennis, along with Uncle Bill Spillar and his cousin Buster Spillar, would spend weeks traveling the country.

While at BIW in 1978, he became an accomplished pilot. One of his fondest memories was flying to Louisville, Kentucky to visit Churchill Downs to attend the Kentucky Derby.

Jim was also an avid boater and water skier, enjoying both Lake Austin and Lake Travis, along with boating on the coast. Jim loved having happy hour after work at either Lois' O'Henry's Bar on 5th street or Joe and Judy Ables' Saxon Pub on N. Lamar.

Jim retired from the steel business in 2010 and began spending many days in North Padre Island fishing and traveling the world. His dog and cat babies were precious to him. You could always hear him say, "You better not mess with my dogs!" He meant it.

Jim was a rotarian with the Downtown Rotary from 2004 until the present. He was incredibly generous with his donations over the years. He was both an Austin Rotary Club Foundation major donor and a Rotary International major donor. Over the last seven years, he contributed to the Lakeway Police Foundation, which was his way of giving back to the Lakeway Police officers.

Jim is survived by his wife, Geri; his loving daughter, Elizabeth "Punky"; sister, Mildred Breed; sisters-in-law, Francine Fleming, Karen Sims, and Lisa Atutis; cousins, Sonny Ingram, Walter Ingram, Linda Kay Ivey; niece and nephew, Tina and Greg Boyce; former wife, Elaine Boyce Hinson; and many many more. He was preceded in death by his parents, Bud and Laverne Boyce; brothers, Curtis and Dennis; his son, James "Jimbo".

A celebration of life will be held for Jim on Saturday, October 19, 2024 at 2:00 PM at Weed-Corley-Fish Funeral Home (411 Ranch Road 620 South, Lakeway, Texas 78734).

Rest in peace, my dearest Jim! You will never be forgotten.