William Eugene "Gene” Boyd, 95, died October 7, 2024, at the Oak Hill community in Waterloo, Illinois.  Gene was born on June 12, 1929, in Flora, the first son of William & Frieda (Klein) Boyd.  He played both football and basketball for Flora High School, earning the nickname of “Spider.”  At age 17, he started working on the B & O Railroad, spending his entire working career at various positions from pipe fitter to supervisor.  He was a railroader at heart, having followed his father and grandfather in their occupations.

      He is survived by his daughter, Deb, and son-in-law, Jim Cronenberg, their children Christopher and Kimberly, and 4 grandchildren from Arizona; as well as 3 cousins, Roger and John Rauch of California, and Elizabeth Henderson of Phoenix.  From his second marriage in 1981 to Norma (Waite, Woodrome), he is survived by Sandy and Tim (Ritter), Joanne (Kramer), Gilbert Jr. and Mary, Tom and Linda, Jeff and Vicky, and Janet and Dale (Vise).  He also leaves behind family friends of 60 years, the Casson family. 

      Gene additionally leaves behind, from his Clay County family, a brother-in-law, Leon Devlin from Kirksville, Missouri, and sister-in-law, Betty Hale Devlin and husband Frank, of Manhattan, Kansas, and their families.

      Gene was preceded in death by his parents; his son, Ed; his first wife, Mildred; his beloved brother, Jerry; and his second wife, Norma.

      He loved being a grandpa to his 20 grandchildren, 43 great-grandchildren, and 1 great-great-grandchild.  He enjoyed taking them to the St Louis Zoo, Gateway Arch, the Muny Opera, or Science Center, and he had as much fun as the kids.  He also played tennis with some of the kids and was in a senior tennis league while in his 80s.  He loved to fish, always finding the most outrageous fishing hat, which held his favorite lures.  He loved reading books to the younger kids, while replacing entire storylines, entertaining all of us.  He had a garden every summer and grew the best tomatoes.  He and Norma enjoyed playing pool with their grandkids, when they visited, and often a poker or dominos game, but his real thrill was the craps tables in Las Vegas.

      A graveside ceremony will be held at 1 p.m. on Tuesday, November 12, 2024, at Elmwood Cemetery in Flora.  Those attending should arrive directly at the cemetery.  Frank & Bright Funeral Home assisted with the arrangements in Flora.  To share a condolence or memory, visit: www.frankandbright.com