Louis Boyce

Louis Boyes, 87, of Martinsburg, died at 5:20 a.m. May 24, 2006, in Columbia.

Louis, the youngest son of Ellory and Ruth McMurtree Boyes, was born in Phoenix, Ariz., on Jan. 6, 1919. After the family returned to Missouri, he attended elementary school in Mexico and rural Benton City. He was salutatorian of his class at Wellsville High School. The next four years were spent at the University of Missouri where he received his B.S. degree in agriculture.

During World War II, he was an Army flight instructor, teaching in AT6 Texans and B25 Mitchell bombers. Flying was a pleasure he enjoyed his entire life. Immediately after the war, he was employed as a rural mail carrier.

In 1950, he married Helen Renz, an RN with Audrain County Hospital. They raised three children, Robert and Bruce Boyes and Jacqueline Boyes Bruns.

Louis was active in the Mexico community, serving as president of the Mexico Rotary Club, Audrain Historical Society and the Mexico Public Library. He was an elder of the First Christian Church.

His later years were spent helping his sons farm and traveling with his wife.

The family requests any memorials be made to the American Cancer Society. They may be sent in care of Pickering Funeral Home, 403 N. Western, Mexico, MO 65265.

Private services will be held at a later date.