Burl Boyd, 85 of Danville, passed away Friday, December 30, 2016 at Chambers Memorial Hospital. He was born November 23, 1931 in Vilonia, Arkansas to the late Edgar Thomas and Erma (Baldwin) Boyd. Burl was a member of the Danville First Baptist Church where he served as a deacon for many years. He has also been a deacon of the Rye Hill Baptist Church in Fort Smith. He was a University of Arkansas graduate and a charter member of the Farm House Fraternity. Burl was an Army Veteran. He was instrumental in the development of the poultry industry in Yell County along with Senator Joe Ray and Leon Millsap. Burl was a former deputy for the Yell County Sheriff Department and later was an officer for the Danville City Police. He was preceded in death by his wife of 49 years, Melba Lemons Boyd.

Survivors include his son and daughter-in-law, Kelly and Gwendolyn Boyd of Havana; daughters and sons-in-law. Nancy and Randy Barrick of Danville, Julie and Jim Binam of Conway; brother, Larry Boyd of Dallas; sisters, Gail Jean Jones of West Monroe, Louisiana, Erma Jean Ebbs of Millington, Tennessee;

grandchildren, Taylor and Thomas Franklin of Ft. Smith, Boyd Barrick of Russellville, Tyler Binam of Richmond, Virginia; and a great-grandson, John Thomas Franklin.

Graveside service will be held Monday, January 2, 2017, 2:00 p.m. at Earl Ladd Cemetery, Danville with Brother Clayton Sheets officiating. An open visitation will be Sunday from 2-4 p.m. at Cornwell's in Danville.

The family would like to thank the staff of Mitchell's Nursing Home and Chambers Memorial Hospital for their loving care.