James "Jimmy-B" Boyd

James “Jimmy-B” Boyd, 61, of Palestine, IL, passed away unexpectedly on August 21, 2025, at his home. Though he was born in Indianapolis, IN, on March 24, 1964, Jimmy grew up under the wide skies of Harlingen, TX, and he was proud of it. His childhood was as full of motion as it was memories. His sister remembers summer nights of “Ghost in the Graveyard” and “Kick the Can,” as well as camping trips that stitched his siblings close together. “The three of us were so close,” she says, and that closeness set the tone for the way Jimmy loved his people all his life.

South Padre Island was his playground. He tried to surf every chance he got, and that love of the water soon met its match when he enlisted in the U.S. Navy. From 1986 to 1989, he served as a quartermaster aboard the USS Aspro, a submarine stationed out of Mare Island, CA. Jimmy was as proud of his service as he was of his Texas roots. He was proud to be an American, proud to wear the uniform, and proud to stand among those who served. While his Navy years brought moments of honor, they also brought heartbreak following the loss of his daughter Kristi, a grief he carried with him always.

When his service ended, he went back to Texas, taking on hard work on the offshore oil rigs. Later, he headed west to California, where he worked for a heated floor company. He loved to tell how he even installed floors for Robin Williams, always sealing the tale with his signature “True story.” A head-on collision in California altered his path, and eventually, he made his way to Illinois in the late 2000s. Here, Jimmy found new roots. He worked at Wal-Mart, first as an assistant manager, and later as a department manager. It was there that he met Misty, who would become the light of his life. Even when diabetes pulled him away from his management position, he refused to stay cooped up. Jimmy believed in working, moving, and living with his whole heart.

And when he lived, he lived loud. His laugh carried. His voice boomed. One could blame his hearing for the volume, but truth be told, he just liked being heard. He always had a joke or a comment ready, and he could spin a tale out of just about anything. Whether the details were all true or not hardly mattered. Jimmy relished the art of telling a story and the way it drew people in, filling the room with laughter and life. Animals were part of that circle, too. His Great Dane, Indy, was his constant companion, every bit as outsized as Jimmy’s personality. He shot pool in a league, enjoyed adding to his coin collection, and found freedom on his motorcycle until his health forced him to step away. And when it came to music, country was always the soundtrack.

And above all, he loved football. Dallas Cowboys football. The season didn’t just show up on the calendar...it lived in his veins. He counted down the summer days until kickoff, and once it came, nothing else mattered. Whether they won or lost, Jimmy was cheering, yelling, and reminding everyone within earshot: “How ’bout those Cowboys?!”

His saying was simple, and he lived it: “I never have a bad day.” Even when his health failed him, he saw each morning he woke up as a gift. And he gave that gift back in the way he showed up—loud, loyal, and larger than life—for everyone around him.

Jimmy is survived by his wife, Misty Boyd (Palestine, IL); his son, Austin Boyd (Terre Haute, IN); his daughters, Mikelle Dedrick and Sienna Dedrick (both of Palestine); and three grandkids, Aubriella, Braelyn, and Gatlin. He is also survived by his sister, Karen & Chris Rada (Hillsboro, WI); his brothers, Bill & Debbie Coombes (Metcalf, IL), and Donald Boyd & Ken Mcvey (Alpine, AZ); nephews, Vance Zoellick Jr. & Debby Schaller (Mauston, WI), and Austin Coombes (Neoga, IL); nieces, Melissa Zoellick (Baraboo, WI), and Megan Coombes (Charleston, IL); and by his great-nieces and nephews, Mercedes, Madison, Adrian, Mason, Meleah, Nico, and Waylon; as well as many cousins. He was preceded in death by his parents, Carroll Boyd & Katheryn (Coombes) Boyd, by his daughter, Kristi Boyd, and by several aunts and uncles.

A time of visitation will be held from 2:00 to 3:00 p.m. on Wednesday, September 3rd, at the Goodwine Funeral Home in Robinson. Attendees are invited to wear a football jersey (Cowboys preferred, obviously) in honor of this die-hard fan. Following the visitation, military honors will be conducted by the combined units of the U.S. Navy, Robinson V.F.W. Post #4549, the Robinson American Legion Post #69, and the Flat Rock American Legion Post #132. A memorial service, officiated by Celebrant Curt Goodwine, will follow. During the service, friends and family will be invited to share their stories and reflections of Jimmy.

Memorials may be made to his memorial fund, with checks payable to “Goodwine Funeral Homes.” Donations may also be made online at www.goodwinefuneralhomes.com/payments