William Boots Lloyd

William Edward “Boots” Lloyd, 93, of Danville, Va., left this world for eternal peace Wednesday, December 3, 2014 after a short illness. Boots was born May 29, 1921, in Columbia, Tennessee, to the late Daniel and Mary Waddey Loyd. Following the death of father, the family moved to Danville in 1929. In 1937, he began working in Dan River Mills and continued to work there until 1942 when he drafted into the U.S. Army Air Corps. Boots served in the Carribean in the Sixth Air Force at France Field in Panama as an aviation ammunitions mechanic for P-38s and P-40s. He was discharged on December 24, 1944. Upon returning to civilian life, he went back to work in Dan River Mills and it was there that he met the love of his life, Ernestine Shumate. They were wed on December 20, 1946 and were married for 58½ years before her death on June 3, 2005. He spent the remainder of his work life as a well-known textile mechanic before his retirement in May of 1983. Since his retirement, Boots spent countless hours fishing the shores of the Atlantic from Emerald Isle, NC to the Surf City Pier with Neal Dodson. He spent time crappie fishing Buggs Island Lake with Bill Baker and Hyco Lake with Clyde Everett. The Dan River was never far from his thoughts as he camped along her banks, swam in her waters and fished her rapids throughout his lifetime. As he departs this world, he leaves behind family so very proud to call him father, brother, grandfather, uncle and cousin. His children, Donna Lloyd Taylor, and William Edward “Eddy” Lloyd II (Rosanne), both reside in Danville. His brother, George “Shorty” Lloyd is a resident of Oriental, NC. Boots leaves behind four grandchildren, Jonathan Taylor of Burgaw, NC, Melissa Taylor of Danville, Thomas Hill of Reading, Pa., and Kevin Hill of Charlotte, NC. He also leaves four great-grandchildren as well as many nieces, nephews and cousins. In addition to his parents, Boots was predeceased by sisters Catherine, Mary, Lilly and Margaret and brothers Daniel and Eldridge “Jock.” The family would like to thank the wonderful neighbors of Oakhaven Drive (Edgewood) that have been a part of their lives since 1955, all those who make up the Westover family, and the special friends of “Mr. Bill” at the Surf City Pier. A special thank you to the angels who make up the Debbie Moore Agency and their wonderful care of Boots in his final days. The family would like to invite friends to visitation to be held at the Wrenn-Yeatts Westover Chapel on Thursday night from 7 until 8:30 p.m. Graveside military rites will be held Friday morning at 11:00 a.m. from Mountain View Cemetery with Dr. Larry Aaron presiding. Military honors will be conducted by the American Legion Dan River Post 1097 and the U.S. Army National Guard. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the Danville Life Saving Crew for the wonderful work they do for all of the people of our community.

William Boots Lloyd

May 29, 1921 - December 3, 2014