Bryce was born on January 13, 1938, the eldest son of Bernard and Viola Molohon Boston. He married Barbara Ann Borders on August 6, 1961. Bryce and Barb’s marriage was a lasting love story that gave them both great joy through the years. Barbara preceded him in death on August 13, 2020. In the end, Bryce died of a broken heart.
Bryce graduated from Granite City High School in 1956 and Millikin University in Decatur, IL in 1960. At Millikin, he was an active member of the TKE Fraternity. He started his career teaching P.E./Health and Driver’s Ed and coaching boys’ basketball at Girard High School and Granite City High School, before settling with his family in Chatham and becoming the admissions counselor at Millikin University, where he worked for 30 years. Coaching was Bryce’s lifelong passion, earning him many accolades over the years. He was the girls’ basketball coach from 1984-1988 at Glenwood High School, becoming the most successful coach in school history. Bryce was named District Coach of the Year in 1987. He was also the 1st women’s softball coach at Millikin University from 1983-1992, where he compiled a record of 214-84 in 9 seasons. Bryce guided his teams to 3 conference titles and 3 appearances in the NCAA Division III Championships. He was named NCAA Division III Midwest Region Coach of the Year in 1990. Bryce was recognized for his coaching achievements and inducted into Millikin’s Athletic Hall of Fame in 1996, and in 2022 Millikin honored him by naming a section of the softball stadium “The Boston Family Terrace.” In his retirement, he continued to enjoy his love of sports and cars, playing golf and selling cars part-time. Bryce and Barbie became happy snowbirds, heading to Arizona for many winters and inviting family and friends to visit. Bryce was very social, a devoted friend to many, and it would be remiss to not mention his eternal hopes for the St. Louis Cardinals here as well.
He was also preceded in death by his parents; and sister, Alice Faye Williams in 1981.
Bryce is survived by his proud brother, Bryan (Bonita) Boston of Saint Charles, MO; children, Brad Boston of Portland, OR, Brenee (Dan) Paxson of Lombard, IL, and Beth (Alice) Boston of Portland, OR; grandchildren, Kenna (Austin) Van Vuren and Bryce (Randi) Paxson, all of Grand Rapids, MI, Lucy (Kaleb) Sheridan of Spokane, WA, and Everett Boston of Portland, OR; great grandchildren, Kaden and Rowan Van Vuren; and several nieces and nephews.
Memorial Gathering and Ceremony: Family will receive friends from 10:00 until 10:45 a.m. on Saturday, November 18, 2023, at Chatham United Methodist Church, 104 W. Chestnut Street, Chatham, IL. A memorial ceremony will follow at 11:00 with Rev. Miriam Snider officiating. The family welcomes all who attend to stand and share their story about their experiences with Bryce.
Memorial contributions may be made to: Alzheimer’s Foundation of America www.alzfdn.org or Alzheimer’s Association www.alz.org, and Huntington’s Disease Society of America www.hdsa.org. Supporting these causes would mean the world to the family.
The family is being served by Butler Funeral Homes - Chatham, 8855 State Route 4, Chatham, IL 62629.
