Born on November 9, 1934, in Lehi, Utah, to Gudrun Johnsen Wathen and Merriel William Wathen. Raised in the community he would always call home, Boyd played basketball on Lehi High School’s varsity team, earning an athletic scholarship to Brigham Young University, where he played during his freshman year. In 1953, he was recognized as Utah’s “Mr. Basketball.” He later continued his education on a part-time basketball scholarship at Utah State University before attending the University of Arizona and Western New Mexico University.

Boyd was a lifelong member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and quietly lived his faith throughout his life.

Boyd married the love of his life, Joyce Penrod, on February 22, 1954. Their marriage was later solemnized in the Salt Lake Temple on February 22, 1955. Together they raised five children and shared 72 years of marriage. Their family grew to include 18 grandchildren and 27 great-grandchildren.

Boyd was a dedicated provider who built many career paths that took him throughout the United States and around the world. He worked for Ireco Chemicals in Utah, Arizona, and New Mexico before starting his own construction company. He later worked in Iran as a blasting foreman for the National Iranian Copper Company. His career then took him to Minnesota, where he worked for Nitrochem.

An entrepreneur by nature, Boyd and his business partner, Don Stromquist, founded their own explosives company. Together they developed numerous explosive products and earned several patents, including one for the world’s first sodium perchlorate explosives booster. The patent was ultimately sold to the company that had acquired Ireco Chemicals, bringing Boyd’s career in explosives full circle.

Even after what many would consider retirement, Boyd continued working in real estate before traveling to Peru, where he learned to formulate nutritional supplements for the nutraceutical industry.

Boyd worked tirelessly and with such determination throughout his life to provide for his family. His generosity was unmatched, and he found great joy in giving to others. He loved his family deeply and remained steadfast in that commitment to them.

Boyd is survived by his loving wife, Joyce Wathen; his children, Bruce (Karen) Wathen, Matt (Susan) Wathen, Gina Wathen, and CeLisa Hadlock; 16 grandchildren and 27 great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Gudrun Johnsen Wathen and Merriel William Wathen; his siblings, Orlin Wathen, Darlene Gray, and Merriel Wathen; his beloved daughter, Cynthia Wathen; granddaughter, Kortney Wathen; grandson, Travis Wathen; and son-in-law, Chris Hadlock.

While Boyd’s family mourns his passing and will miss him dearly, they find comfort in knowing he is now reunited with precious loved ones whom he missed so deeply. It is only goodbye for now.

Services were held on Saturday, July 18, 2026 with Interment at the Lehi City Cemetery.

The family expresses heartfelt gratitude to the physicians and nurses at American Fork Hospital and to Inspiration Hospice for the kindness, care, and compassion shown to Boyd during his final days.