Boyd Stephenson

Boyd Stephenson, age 81, of Grandview, Mo., formerly of Philip, S.D., died June 30, 2015, at his home in Grandview.

Wilbur “Boyd” Stephenson was born April 20, 1934, in Philip, the oldest of eight children born to Gordon and Katherine Stephenson. He grew up in the Milesville area north of Philip and attended rural schools in that area. He then attended Philip High School graduating in 1952. After graduation, Boyd attended South Dakota School of Mines and Technology in Rapid City from 1952 until 1954, when he entered the US Army. 

Boyd was stationed in Ft. Hood, Texas, and later in Massachusetts. During his time in Massachusetts, he attended Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) for one year. After his honorable discharge, Boyd moved to Omaha, Neb., where he worked as a medical equipment salesman. While he was there, he invented a modem to send EKGs over the phone line. 

While in Omaha, Boyd was united in marriage to Dixie Lance in 1962, and to this union were born two children, Natalie and Alan. They later moved to Grandview, where he worked at the Truman Medical Center as a medical technologist. While there, he invented tissue and bone imaging. Boyd gave presentations across the United States and Europe, and received many awards for his patents and troubleshooting of medical equipment. 

After his retirement at the age of 70, he remained in Grandview where he has since resided. Boyd was able to spend his retirement years harassing politicians. 

Survivors include his daughter, Natalie Stephenson of Raytown, Mo.; his son, Alan Stephenson of Grandview, Mo.; four sisters, Joan Patton and her husband, Leo, of Milesville, Kay Ainslie and her husband, George, of Philip, Arlene Ingersoll and her husband, Bob, of Seattle, Wash., and Sue Koepp and her husband, Darwin, of Spearfish; and one brother, Gary Stephenson of Philip; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Boyd was preceded in death by his parents and two brothers in infancy. 

Memorial services will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday, June 21, 2016, at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Philip with Father Kevin Achbach officiating.

Interment with military honors will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Tuesday, June 21, at the Black Hills National Cemetery in Sturgis with Deacon Lloyd Frein officiating.

Arrangements are with the Rush Funeral Home of Philip.