Robert Clair Boyce, III, age 77, passed away peacefully with his children by his side on January 28, 2021. Beloved father to Wendelyn Boyce Blaszyk (Paul), Robert Hunter Boyce (Mindy) and Cynthia Boyce Geer (John), cherished “Pop” to granddaughters Mary Hunter Geer, Catherine Elizabeth Geer and Claire Elizabeth Blaszyk, he is survived by his sisters, Nellie Ann Smith (Harry) and Mary Etta Boyce (Armistead Traynham), and brother, William Walton Boyce, as well as many nieces, nephews, and cousins. He is preceded in death by his devoted wife of 48 years, Mary Hunter Boyce, brother James Mark Boyce, and his parents Robert Clair Boyce, Jr. and Georgia Phelan Boyce.
Robert “Bob” Boyce was born September 10, 1943 in Nashville, TN. He graduated in 1961 from Hillsboro High School in Nashville, TN and attended Cumberland College of Tennessee in Lebanon, TN where he was student editor of the Cumberland Collegian and received his Associate in Arts degree in 1963. He attended Howard College (now Samford University) in Birmingham, AL where he majored in history and minored in English. He was a member of Pi Kappa Phi social fraternity, the Varsity Intercollegiate Debate Team, the Bulldogs Cheer squad and the Masquers Drama Club. He graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree from Howard College in 1965.
He attended the evening division of Cumberland Law School while working full-time as Senior Claims Representative for Aetna. While a law student, he received the American Jurisprudence award for Torts and Damages, was a member of the Phi Alpha Delta legal fraternity, and graduated in the upper third of his senior class. After graduating with his Doctor of Jurisprudence degree in 1974, he was admitted to the Alabama State Bar the same year. He practiced law from 1974 until 2021. Throughout this distinguished career, he was a faculty member and speaker at Cumberland School of Law and guest lecturer on the subject of criminal law and procedure at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, Jefferson State Junior College, and Auburn University.
A lifelong Methodist, Robert was a member of Trinity UMC in Homewood, where he was a member of the Aldersgate Sunday School class. He served as Finance Chairman of the Administrative Board, taught adult Sunday School class, Disciple Bible study, and served in various leadership roles of the North Alabama Conference of the United Methodist church.
He devoted many hours volunteering in his children’s activities, from serving as Troop Committee Chairman for Boy Scout Troop 97 to President of the Homewood High School Patriot Band Boosters and running the concession stand at Homewood High School girls’ soccer games. His love for his grandchildren was unmatched. It brought him much joy to attend his granddaughters’ activities at dance recitals, band and cheer performances, soccer games, and school award programs. He loved and cherished his family, church, BBQ Club friends, and Alabama football.
A private inurnment service was held for immediate family and a Celebration of Life service will be announced at a later date when deemed safe to gather.
In lieu of flowers, those wishing to honor his lifelong commitment to faith, family and community are invited to make memorial donations in his name to Trinity United Methodist Church, 1400 Oxmoor Road, Homewood, Alabama, 35209.
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