Boyd was born February 15, 1940, in Grand Island, NE. He graduated from Grand Island, NE, Senior High in 1958 and died October 28, 2021, at Ft. Meade Veterans Hospice unit at Fort Meade, SD.

Boyd enlisted in the US Navy on September 1, 1958, and retired as an Aviation Electronics Tech Senior Chief Petty Officer on August 31, 1981. His career included service in Antisubmarine Warfare Squadron VS-32 aboard the carrier USS Lake Champlain; Airborne Early Warning Squadrons VAW-114 and VAW123 aboard carriers USS Forrestal, USS America, USS Kitty Hawk and USS Coral Sea. As a Qualified Air crewman on S2F, Antisubmarine Warfare Aircraft and E2A and E2B Airborne Early Warning Aircraft, he logged hundreds of carrier catapult launches and arrested landings. He was very proud of his Naval service and attained his BA and MBA with his veterans' benefits. He then joined General Dynamics in San Diego and retired in 1991 and United Airlines in Rapid City, SD, and retired in 2006.

He loved wood working and was happiest when working on projects for his family and friends.

Boyd is survived by his wife, Laura; daughters, Debra Baber (Jimmy) of VA, Sandra Burnett (Beth) of VA; sons, Rodney Burnett, Sr. (Laurie) of SC, Troy Burnett (Michelle), and Scott Burnett of CT; step-daughter, Shari Swaney of CT, and her children Anthony (Natalia), Ashlee Paradis and grandson Andrew Pierce; step-sisters-in-laws, Marilyn Puckett, Barbara Puckett, and Betty Puckett; grandsons, Rodney Burnett, Jr., Miles Burnett, and Tyler Burnett; granddaughters, Alexandria, Amber, Taryn, Tracy, Velika, Jennifer, Melissa, Stephanie, and Emma; great-granddaughters, Lilly, Sophia, twins Brynnly, and Nakita; and many nieces and nephews. Special friend, Floyd Winegar and wife, Margie (deceased); sister-in-law and care giver, Mary Schafer RN retired; brother-in-law, Tim Benedickt (Terry); his cat, Jaybo.

He preceded in death by his mother, Erma Compton Burnett; his father, Boyd E. Burnett, Sr.; step-mother, Bertha Puckett Burnett; sisters, Gloria Stoltenberg, and Beverly Roepker; brother, Rodney Burnett and step-brothers, John, Joe, Ray, and Tom Puckett.

Committal services with military honors will be 11:00 a.m. on Monday, November 8, 2021, at Black Hills National Cemetery near Sturgis, SD.

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