Boyce Eugene Wilson

Boyce Eugene Wilson, 90 years young, of Garfield, Arkansas, passed away on September 30th at Circle of Life Hospice in Springdale. He was born February 12th 1934 in Harrisburg, Nebraska to Elmer Wilson and Carrie Grubbs Wilson. Boyce was one of nine children.

He met and married Marjorie Warner in Gering, Nebraska on September 22, 1956. They moved to Yucaipa California in November of 1956, where they lived and had two children before moving to Rogers in March of 1962. They celebrated their 68th wedding anniversary on September 22, 2024.

Boyce was preceded in death by his dear parents, Elmer and Carrie Wilson; brothers, Marvin Wilson, Duane Wilson, Bob Wilson, and Jerry Wilson; sisters Collene Williams, Dorean Cunningham, and Bonnie James, and a son, Eugene Wilson.

He is survived by his beloved wife, Marjorie Wilson; daughters Karen Granado and Janelle Wilson; sons Charles Wilson (wife Gena) and Richard Wilson (wife Amy); seven granddaughters, thirteen great-grandchildren; one sister, Betty Benzel; numerous nieces and nephews, and dear extended family members.

The Wilson family moved to Arkansas from Nebraska in 1941. They began studying the bible with Brother Ed Bonikowski and attended meetings in downtown Rogers. Five family members, including Boyce, were baptized as Jehovah's Witnesses in 1946. The family moved back to Nebraska in 1947.

Boyce attended three International Conventions of Jehovah's Witnesses held at the New York Yankee Stadium. In July 1950, Boyce drove a 1949 Hudson from Nebraska to New York for the Convention. In 1953, he drove from Nebraska to New York for the International Convention. They stayed in Trailer and Tent City, which accommodated more than 45k delegates. In August 1958, Boyce traveled with his wife Marjorie, mother Carrie, and brothers, Duane, Bob, and Jerry Wilson from California to the New York City Convention.

At the age of 17, Boyce entered a three-year apprenticeship for brick and stone masonry. He continued this line of work for the next 50 years. This was hard and arduous work; lifting 80 pound blocks and large stone pieces. He took pride in his work, always leaving the completed project with a smile. Boyce enjoyed working with his brothers in many jobs.

In the year 1966, in the infancy of Bella Vista, Arkansas, Boyce did masonry work for homes and other structures. His work is widely recognized throughout Northwest Arkansas. Boyce had the privilege of working on several Kingdom Halls in Arkansas, Oklahoma, and Tennessee. On these projects, he would take the time to show others how to "butter" the brick or rock and gently place it in the appropriate space. He was always willing and happy to do Jehovah's work, including ministry and attending conventions.

He will be remembered as a man of strong character, moral,s and love for his family and Jehovah. He taught his children strong values and the importance of honesty, in all aspects of life. It was important for him to remember and manifest the qualities of the spirit, listed in Galatians 5:22-23.

Therefore, we do not give up, but even if the man we are outside is wasting away, certainly the man we are on inside is being renewed from day to day. For though the tribulation is momentary and light, it works out for us a glory that is of more and more surpassing greatness and is everlasting.

- 2 Corinthians 4:16, 17

With that I heard a loud voice from the throne say; "Look! The tent of God is with mankind, and he will reside with them, and they will be his people. And God himself will be with them. And he will wipe out every tear from their eyes, and death will be no more, neither will mourning nor outcry nor pain be anymore. The former things have passed away."

Revelation - 21:3, 4