WILLIAM DIES ON FAMILY TRIP TO FLORIDA
A big- hearted family man collapsed and died on a holiday of a lifetime in America.
William Boyd, 59, suffered heart failure while on a trip to Florida with wife Evelyn, her daughter, Samantha, and her three children, Courtney, 11, Liam, eight, and three- year- old Sophie.
Family and friends will pay their respects during a celebration of his life today ( Wednesday) at Masonhill Crematorium at 11.15am.
Speaking from their home in Monkton, Evelyn told the Post: “I’m devastated. We were always happy together and never had a cross word.
“It was so tragic the way it ended. I was glad it was William who took the children on their first holiday abroad. We had so much fun together.”
The grieving wife of a family man who died on holiday described him as the love of her life and a ‘ big character with a big smile ’ who was loved by everyone.
William Boyd, known as Willie to friends and colleagues, collapsed and died while on a dream holiday in Florida.
Family and friends will pay their respects during a celebration of William’s life in Masonhill Crematorium today ( Wednesday) at 11.15am.
Evelyn, who lived with William in Monkton, said to the Post: “He was a very special man and was loved by many.
“He knew a lot of people. He was a happy man.
“He lived the life he wanted to. “He was such a good person. Nothing was too much trouble.”
Avid Rangers fan William, 59, had planned the holiday of a lifetime for his wife, Evelyn, her daughter Samantha, and her three children, Courtney, 11, Liam, 8 , and three- year- old Sophia.
William’s also survived by stepson David, sister Lynn, brother Jim.
William also had a late brother, John.
He was also brother- in law to Peter, Lynne and David.
Sunshine holidays were a big part of William’s life and the latest was his 17th time in the sunshine state.
He had planned the magical holiday for 18 months to take the three grandchildren abroad for their first time.
William did overtime at his work and saved along with Evelyn so that they could go on holiday with the children and take them to the theme parks.
William married Evelyn, a Recruitment Officer for Scottish Medical Training in the NHS, in 2003.
Evelyn, 55, said: “We have fantastic photos of the Disney Parks.
“We had so much fun together. “It was so tragic the way it ended.
“I take comfort that it was William who took the grandchildren on their first holiday abroad.”
The family arrived at resort Bahama Bay, Davenport, Florida, on June 23.
The tragic events unfolded when William took unwell in the holiday apartment late at about 11.30pm on July 4 - three days before he was due to arrive home.
Evelyn added: “William said earlier that evening, he was happy and that he had done everything he wanted do with the kids, Samantha and myself.”
Paramedics rushed him to the Heart of Florida Hospital where he later died from atherosclerotic heart disease.
Evelyn added: “I’m devastated. “We were always happy together, never having a cross word.”
As they met later in life, Eveyln declared: “He always asked me have you got enough memories yet? Later he would say you have that many memories now that you are starting to forget them.”
William, who had a passion for Indian cooking, was born in his grandmother’s house in Wishaw’s Hazeldean Crescent before moving to Ayr in his mid 20s.
Evelyn met William 20 years ago .
William cycled thousands of miles and people would have seen him on his bike in the village or cycling to Prestwick beach or with Courtney travelling from Troon to Monkton.
He’d even get soaked to the skin rather than disappoint or let down Courtney.
Evelyn added: “People who didn’t even know him would have seen him in the village and he would wave to them.
“He always stopped to talk to everyone he knew. He had a lot of time for people.”
Every year since the 1970s, William donated a pint of blood and never missed a donation.
To mark the special milestone of 100 donated pints of blood, William was presented with a silver quaich at Glasgow City Chambers last November.
Medical staffing at NHS Ayrshire & Arran where Evelyn works are organising a trophy in William’s memory for Liam’s football club, Troon Thistle YFC.
William worked at Hamilton District Council, Pop- On, 3663 and for the last 13 years as warehouse supervisor at DSM, Dalry.
Friends are invited to join the family at Brig o’ Doon House Hotel, Alloway, for refreshments ‘ Willie’s style’ and to share memories and William’s love of music that included Take That and ELO. People are also urged to donate a pint of blood in William’s memory.
He always stopped to talk to everyone he knew Wife Evelyn Boyd