Boyce East

Boyce Ray East passed away November 6, 2024 at his home in Benton, KY.

Born March 5, 1930, Boyce was the son of Everett and Lou Jettie (Dawes) East. He was a long-time member of Maple Hill church of Christ where he had previously served as Elder and taught the adult bible class.

Boyce graduated from Sharpe High School as Salutatorian in 1949. As a youngster, he attended the Griggs one-room School House. There, during the winter, he was paid 5 cents a day to get the fire going in the wood stove so the room would be warm when students arrived.

After an invitation from Harry S. Truman, Boyce served in the U.S. Army from 1951 - 1953. He spent 16 months, 24 days during the Korean Conflict in an artillery unit. Returning home with 3 stars for his service, he married his sweetheart, Betty June Barker.

Known for a lifetime interest in firearms and how they operate, Boyce was the community gunsmith. People from all over brought their guns to be repaired. "I never charged my friends anything for working on their guns, and everybody was my friend. Even my friend’s friends!"

His hobby and passion was building custom rifles for himself and others. He built many gun stocks with beautiful hand-carved checkering. His last creations were made for his grandson.

Boyce worked at Magnavox and CTS in Paducah, KY as a machinist. He then started an apprenticeship in Tool & Die, which he loved. This led to a teaching job at Marshall Co. Vocational School where he was the machine shop instructor until his retirement in 1995. In July 2021, several former students organized a reunion to thank him for getting them started in their careers. This was the greatest honor of his life.

Boyce is survived by his wife of 71 years, Betty June (Barker) East; daughter, Jennifer East of Benton; grandson, Easton Edwards of Benton; granddaughter Ariel (Michael) Gilmore of Knoxville, TN; bonus granddaughter, Toree (Joe) Parrish of Louisville, KY; great grand children, Lachlan and Hardin Parrish of Louisville, Caiden and Hattie Wray Gilmore of Knoxville; brother, Gene East wife Peggy of Benton; and nephew Chris East.

He was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Jerry East; and his son, Michael Ray East.

Funeral service will be held at 1:00 PM on Monday, November 11, 2024 at Maple Hill church of Christ, located at 3960 Scale Rd, Benton, KY 42025, with David Hendrickson and Tyler Cannon officiating.

Burial will follow the service with Military Honors at Salyers Cemetery.

Visitation will be held from 5:00 PM until 8:00 PM on Sunday, November 10, 2024 at Collier Funeral Home in Benton, KY. Additional visitation will be held from 12:00 PM until the service time of 1:00 PM on Monday, November 11, 2024 at Maple Hill church of Christ.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Salyers Cemetery Fund, c/o Wanda Rowe, 886 Salyer Creek Rd, Benton, KY 42025.