The Reverend Dr. William R. Floyd passed away on Wednesday, November 4, 2015, at his home in Roswell. Dr. Floyd was born in Atlanta on September 17, 1930, to Robert E. and Rebie Allen Floyd. He grew up in East Atlanta and attended Atlanta public schools, where he was the leading scorer in the city among high school basketball players in 1948. He received a B.A. from Emory in 1954, and his Master’s of Divinity from Candler School of Theology in 1957. He was awarded the Doctor of Divinity degree from La Grange College in 1989.
Dr. Floyd received his call to ministry under the guidance of his father-in-law, Rev. B.W. Hancock. In his 61 year career in The United Methodist Church, he served seven different churches in the North Georgia Conference: Eastland Road UMC, Blue Ridge UMC, Skyland UMC, Roswell UMC, Northside UMC, Dalton First UMC, and Athens First UMC. His childhood sweetheart and beloved wife, Joyce Hancock Floyd, was his partner in ministry and life until her death in January of 2009. They met in the youth group at Martha Brown Methodist Church and were married for fifty-seven years. Their love and devotion to each other was an inspiration to all who knew them. Mrs. Floyd was the consummate preacher’s wife, living out her call to do God’s work with grace, generosity, and a bright smile.
Dr. Floyd was deeply devoted to his family; he loved his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren unconditionally, and they loved their “Poppy.” He was attentive to each as an individual, and they remember him as a joyful and supportive presence in their lives.
After his wife’s death, he was fortunate to find happiness in his relationship with Marsue Minton, who enriched his last years with her kind and loving presence.
For Dr. Floyd, preaching was at the heart of ministry. He believed that his primary call as a pastor was to deliver God’s word. He did so through a conversational style in the pulpit that was infused with humor and emphasized that God’s good grace is available to all. He was a gifted storyteller, both orally and in his written work. While he made it seem easy, Dr. Floyd took seriously the craft of preaching. He loved to hear good preaching, and he was a gentle critic when he encountered it done poorly.
Dr. Floyd was a warm and loving presence in the lives of those he pastored through the years. He counted it a privilege to walk with others in times of both crisis and joy. He performed countless baptisms, weddings, and funerals and valued being a part of others’ sacred journeys. He often encouraged others by saying “have a good day and a great forever.”
Dr. Floyd loved God, family, and good Southern food, usually in that order. He continued to enjoy all three until the end of his life, surrounded by the warm embrace of family and friends.
Dr. Floyd is survived by children Timothy Wesley Floyd and wife Daisy of Macon; LuAnn Floyd Brown and husband Mark of Roswell; Joy Floyd Haynes and husband Mike of Nashville, Tennessee; grand-children, Anna Brown Cahill and husband Shawn; Rev. Kate Hurst Floyd and husband Kyle Tau; Mark William Brown; William Hancock Floyd and wife Alexandra Rosenberg; and Luke Floyd Hornsby; and great-grandchildren, Emma, Jack, Quinn, Daisy, and Nolan.
A service of worship celebrating the life of Dr. Floyd will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, November 7, 2015, at Roswell United Methodist Church, Dr. Malone Dodson and Dr. Mike Long officiating. Interment will follow at Green Lawn Cemetery. The family will receive friends at Roswell Funeral Home from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. on Friday, November 6, and at the Church from 9:30 to 11:00 a.m. on Saturday. Memorial donations may be made to Grace United Methodist Church, Atlanta; Roswell United Methodist Church; or a charity of your choice.
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