Major General Woodrow “Douglas” Boyce of Dover passed away peacefully on Friday, Oct. 1, 2021, surrounded by family at Kent General Hospital.
MG Boyce was born March 10, 1940 in Laurel to the late Woodrow David Boyce and Doris Jones Boyce.
In 1958 he graduated as the valedictorian from Laurel High School. In 1962 he earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Mechanical Engineering from University of Delaware. He served two years in the United States Army and upon his return to Delaware he joined the Delaware Army National Guard as an Air Defense Artillery Officer. MG Boyce was a graduate of the Air Defense School, Signal Officer Advanced Course, Command and General Staff College (with honors) and the Army War College (Class Vice President). Upon the conversion of the Delaware Army National Guard to Signal, MG Boyce was assigned to the 261st Signal Command in Dover. He also commanded the 280th Signal Battalion. He was promoted to Major General in July 1995, and then transferred to the U.S. Army Reserve and became the first commander of the newly activated 311th Theater Signal Command at Ft. Meade, until 1999.
In civilian life, MG Boyce “Doug” worked for Delmarva Power and Light Co. for 35 years, retiring in 1998 as the Vice President of Electric Operations. He was a member of the Wesley United Methodist Church in Dover, where he was extremely involved in the administration and finances of the church as well as the Men’s Club and Bible Study. Doug was the rock of his family and was always the go to person when any of his kids or grandkids needed anything. He was caring, compassionate and was always quick with a joke to keep people laughing. Doug enjoyed going to flea markets, traveling up and down the east coast on his quest for antique woodworking tools and was a member of the Early American Industries Association “EAIA”.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his sister, Elaine Lynch, brother-in-law Ronnie Lynch, and sister-in-law Sharon Boyce
He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Diane Dickerson Boyce of Dover; children, Darla Boyce of Middletown, Drew Boyce and Denise Boyce of Wyoming, and Dina Nacin and her husband Paul of N. Las Vegas; brothers, David Boyce and his wife Ann and Brent Boyce all of Laurel; sister-in-law Donna Atkins and her husband Ramon of Broadway, NC; grandchildren, Sirena Estrada, Dustin Boyce (Jill), Matt Estrada, Elena Estrada, Aaron Boyce (Tia), Michael Boyce (Caila), Ashley Boyce, Alex Estrada, Sam Boyce, and Callie Boyce; great-grandchildren, Luna, Goldie, Zoeie, Woods, and Anneli; and many other cousins, nieces, and nephews.
Memorial services will be held 3 p.m., Friday, Oct. 29 at Torbert Funeral Chapel South, 1145 E. Lebanon Rd., Dover, DE. Friends may call one hour prior.
Services will be live streamed on Torbert Funeral Chapel’s website, https://www.torbertfuneral.com/.
In lieu of flowers the family suggests contributions be made to UMCOR, 139 North State Street, Dover, DE.
Letters of condolence may be sent, and guestbook signed at www.torbertfuneral.com.