George Boyd

George Robert Boyd, 3/4/1946 – 2/5/2023 George Robert Boyd passed away Feb. 5, 2023, surrounded by his family. Born in 1946 in Yakima to (Jack) John Boyd and Margaret Jean (Christie) Boyd. They lived in the cottonwood at High Valley Ranch until 1948 when they purchased a 10-acre farm in Fairview district of Ellensburg. There, George would attend school until 1955 when the family purchased the Boyd Ranch in the Wenas Valley. For years, Jack and his family raised large herds of sheep, then hogs, and finally shifting to a cow/calf operation. George loved the ranch life; from raising lambs to driving cattle on the high range pastures. He passed his love of animals and farm life to his wife and children. George graduated from Selah High School in 1965 and in 1966, enlisted in the Army Military Police, serving 30 months of service in Germany. He obtained the rank of Sergeant E-5 and had a squad of MPs under his command - he was considered by many to be a good leader and supervisor. While stationed in Germany, George took the opportunity to travel all over Europe and the British Isles, including Scotland- his family’s ancestral home where both sets of his grandparents emigrated from. In 1971 he began his police career with the Selah Police Department. In the same year, he met the love of his life, Louise, who was working for the Yakima Sheriff’s Department. George started as a Patrolman and was quickly promoted to Sergeant; soon after, to Chief of Police. George was a man of integrity - always relying on common sense and the golden rule. George retired from the Selah Police Department in 1990. Soon after, he joined the funeral service with Shaw and Sons funeral home, doing all parts of the job, including becoming an apprentice embalmer. Years later, George would change careers, opting to run the local Yakima branch of Northwest Harvest, providing food resources for those in need. He was, by all accounts, well respected and liked by the community that he lived in and cherished. George raised his 3 sons with his wife on the ranch he loved so much, enjoying 42 wonderful years of marriage with his loving wife, until her death in 2014. In all his travels in Europe, he always believed that there was no better place than the Wenas Valley, whose little country cemetery now holds so many of his loved ones. He will, at long last, rest beside his beloved wife, in the company of his parents, in the valley he served for so long. George was a Master Mason; first joining with Selah 226 and later Yakima 24, Toppenish 178 and Naches 211, serving in most positions, including Grand Lodge, but most notably as Secretary of Yakima 24 for 20 years. He was a Royal Arch Mason, member of the York Rite, Knight Templar, Order of St. Raphael, Red Cross of Constantine, a charter member and Shriner of Masada Shrine, former member of the Scottish Rite, and board member of DeMolay. George was preceded in death by his father and mother - John and Margaret Boyd, Wife - Anna “Louise” Boyd and in-laws, Ida and Art Harvey. He is survived by his sons David (Stephanie and grandkids - Kalei and Adalynn), Scott (Jill and grandkids - Gavin and Logan), Kevin (Rebekah and grandkids - Samuel, Hannah, and Eloise), brothers John (wife- Linda) and Jim, and their families. Written per George- “We are on that level of time from whence born, no traveler returns. Family, don’t stand and grieve for me; I am at peace, and with your mother. Farewell, only until we meet again”-DAD A viewing will take place Thursday, Feb. 16th from 3-7pm at Valley Hills Funeral Home in Yakima. Funeral service will follow on Friday the 17th at 11am, same location. Graveside will be held at the Wenas Cemetery at 1pm Friday the 17th, in Selah, WA. In lieu of flowers, please donate to the Shriners hospital or to a charity of your choice. To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of George Boyd, please visit our flower store.