Photo above, "courtesy of Katherine Mildred Beryl WADE."
The following are obituary profiles courtesy of The San Juan Journal and provided by Eleanor Louise Boyce-Johnsom.
Steven Vernon Boyce Jr.
Life-Long Resident Summoned Steven V. Boyce Stricken with Fatal Heart Attack Saturday, Noon
December 28, 1950
The community was shocked, Saturday of last week, when the word of the sudden passing of Mr. Steve Boyce was announced. About noon, Mr. Boyce went to the mail box and on his return to the house he suffered a heart attack and fell. Death was no doubt instantaneous.
Stephen Vernon Boyce was born July 11, 1871, on San Juan Island, the 10th child of eleven children of the late Mr. and Mrs. Stephen V. Boyce, early pioneer residents of San Juan Island. His education was received in the Island schools. His entire life was spent as a resident of San Juan county. In 1898, he was married to Miss Annie Erickson, likewise a daughter of a pioneer Island family. The marriage took place in the Valley Presbyterian church.
After attaining manhood, Mr. Boyce was variously employed but most of the time engaged in farming. He always took a keen interest in community and public affairs. In 1912 he was elected as county sheriff which office he filled for two terms. He was a member of San Masonic Lodge, which organization had charge of the burial services.
Besides his widow at the family home he is survived by one sister, Mrs. Don (Grace Boyce) Erickson, the last member of this large family, and a large number of nieces and nephews, likewise innumerable friends and acquaintances throughout the county who will always remember him as an unassuming man with a kind and cheery word for all.
The funeral was held Tuesday afternoon at the Valley Presbyterian church, with Rev. Robert Postma reading the service. Interment in the Valley cemetery. Graveside services were conducted by San Juan Lodge, No. 175, F. & A. M. with the pallbearers: John Jackson, Jack Fairweather, Bob Flinn, Kenneth Dougherty, F. E. Jennings, and Nourdine Jensen.
Honorary pallbearers, nephews of the deceased, were: Neil Boyce, Adrian Boyce, Russel Boyce, Ralph Boyce, Ben Boyce, of Friday Harbor; and Steve Boyce of Tacoma.
