Lay the Legend to Rest & Hellva Party Sometime

Cleon Boyd, 64 of Wilmington, VT died April 3, 2020 fighting COVID-19.  Boyd "the local legend" grew up on the Boyd Family Farm and remained a lifelong resident.  He leaves his mother Janice Batchelder of Brattleboro, sons Christopher Boyd and wife Kaya of Dover, Zachari Boyd and wife Caitlyn of Readsboro, daughters Naomi Boyd of New Hampshire and Meghan Carrier and husband Devon of Readsboro, his grandchildren Christopher Boyd Jr., Emma Boyd, Gavon Carrier, Alia Garvin, Clowee Lafreniere and Albion John Lanphear. Brothers Leon Boyd (his twin) of Dover, Bucky Boyd of Wilmington, sisters Theresa Clare of New York, Carol Boyd Johnson of Northern Vermont and Tammy Snow of Dover, three great grandchildren, many nieces, nephews and cousins.  He grew up on the family farm in Wilmington , attended Wilmington Schools and Graduated from Wilmington High School. Throughout his life he had worked as an equipment operator for many people in the Deerfield Valley including Fitzpatrick Excavating, Plimpton Construction, John Boyd and Wayne Corse. However his true passion was operating a Snow Cat and grooming the trails of Hogback, Haystack, Mt. Snow and for seven years at Snow Valley Resorts in California. Cleon had the ability to traverse the steepest inclines and create the smoothest trails. In the summer months he would use his talents maintaining the trails in preparation for the coming winter. Cleon was a former longtime member of the Wilmington Fire Department , he loved riding his Honda Goldwing motorcycle, He had a close family and enjoyed going to camp and being at the sugarhouse with them . With an appreciation of country music he loved to get together with his family and sing country songs. In honor of Cleon Boyd and love for the Boyd family on Sunday afternoon, April 5, community members were invited to drive their vehicles in a procession with fire trucks and police cars. Starting at Twin Valley Elementary School in Wilmington, they drove past the Boyd Family Farm and homes of Boyd's family members before turning around at Dover School.   Participants were asked not to leave their vehicles. They were invited to decorate their cars and to throw flowers or cards.  The procession included motorcycles, classic cars, acoustic guitars strapped on vehicles, town highway department trucks, vehicles used by local business and fire trucks from departments all over the valley. Longtime family friend Mike Fitzpatrick of Newfane counted about 1,000 vehicles in total, as reported by The Brattleboro Reformer. The Communtiy of the Deerfield Valley came together to pay their respects to this beloved family and we as a community can remain #VTSTRONGTOGETHER & #BOYDSTRONG and assist in laying this man to rest.  It would certainly help Cleon's children to financially provide assistance with the upcoming funeral costs and celebration of live gathering when the time comes.  If Sunday's Procession is an example of how big his service may be, then any size of financially contribution will help. If you are unable to donate please keep sending prayers to Cleon Boyd's younger brother Bucky, Bucky's wife Janet and Cleon's son Zach who have also tested positive for the coronavirus. Leon, (Cleon's twin) is hospitalized and on a ventilator right now.

As of 3:10 pm on April 9, 2020, Cleon's twin brother, Leon Boyd lost his fight to COVID-19 if you are able to contribute to his immediate family at this time, to assist with the daunting upcoming expenses. Please click here:  https://www.gofundme.com/f/lay-to-rest-amp-a-heck-of-a-remembrance-party


Thank you all so much for all your love and support!  It means more than you will ever know!