Rev. Bob Boyce

In the early morning hours of August 22, 2020, Pastor Bob Boyce’s “paint was dry in his room.” (John 14:2-4 ESV) Visitation will be held from 5:00 – 7:00 pm on Monday, August 24, 2020, at The Hamil Family Funeral Home, 6449 Buffalo Gap Road, Abilene, Texas. Funeral Services will be at 11:00 am on Tuesday, August 25, 2020, at Trinity Lutheran Church in Albany, Texas, officiated by Reverend Tom Chandler and Reverend Dick Goodwill of Cedar Park. Burial will follow at Trinity Lutheran Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Tiel Rector, Alan Archer, Tim Tumulty, Riley West, Justin Hollums, Cody Hollums, Blake Bernstein, and Ethen Bernstein. Robert Edward Boyce was born on May 5, 1941, in Loraine, Texas, to Helen Marie (Compton) and Steve Edward Boyce, Jr. He grew up in the cotton and oil fields of West Texas. At an early age Bob fell in love with singing and the guitar. He started a band, “Bob Boyce and the Bobcats” while in high school. He was a 1959 graduate of Stanton High School. He met Georgie Bernstein in Midland, Texas. They married August 20, 1966, and with Georgie’s daughter, Lisa, began their 54-year adventure as a family. As a salesman he worked for various companies selling oil field equipment in West Texas and Louisiana. In 1970 Bob and his family moved to Abilene where he worked at ABCO Industries, Inc. becoming Vice President of Administration and Sales, and he continued his lifelong interest in the oil field. His love for The Lord kept pulling him toward the ministry all his life. Bob and Georgie moved to Fort Wayne, Indiana, where he attended Concordia Theological Seminary. He received a Master of Divinity Degree in 1982 and was ordained as a Missouri Synod Lutheran Pastor at Trinity Lutheran Church in Weatherford, Texas. He served congregations in Texas including San Antonio, Warda, Eden, Menard, and eventually ending up back Abilene. Bob had a great love for his family and community. He became involved with the Texas Wendish Heritage Society because of Georgie’s Wendish ancestry. He became known as “the voice” of the Wendish Fest, and was master of ceremonies at the event in Serbin for over 25 years. He brought the Clara and Alvin Bernstein heirs together to incorporate the ranch, and with Georgie, managed its day to day operations. The ranch achieved The State of Texas recognition of 100 years of continuous agricultural service within the Bernstein Family. After his “official” retirement in 2004, he remained active serving as vacancy pastor for Big Spring, Brownwood and Cisco. Bob especially loved working with young people and found pleasure in performing weddings for those he baptized and confirmed. He continued to touch many lives with his deep understanding of God’s message in his distinctive manner. Bob was preceded in death by his parents. He is survived by his wife Georgie and daughter Lisa Jones, of Abilene; his brother, Royce and wife Cheryl of Midland; granddaughter, Ketrin Rector and husband Tiel of Abilene; and his three beloved great-granddaughters: Klara, Evelyn, and Rose Rector. He is also survived by nieces Kim Tumulty and husband Tim of Rockwall; Laura Loomans and Mikie Loomans of Dallas; Jenny Sharrock and husband Alan Archer of Houston; Kami Boyce of Valentine; and his nephew Tedo Boyce of Rockport. Pastor Boyce always assured us with his words, “Remember, God loves you, and because He has equipped me, so do I.” Those wishing to honor Bob’s life may do so with memorial gifts to The Texas Wendish Heritage Society, 1011 CR 212, Giddings, Texas 78942, or Trinity Lutheran Church, P.O. Box 2255, Albany, Texas 76430. Memories may be shared and condolences submitted online at www.HamilFamilyFuneralHome.com