Boyd Henderson

Our dear old Dad, Boyd Frank Henderson, passed away on Christmas morning December 25, 2018. He had a goal to live till his 100th birthday with his identical twin brother Ralph and they celebrated it together in September. Boyd was born in Arimo, Idaho on September 6, 1918 to Anna Eugenia Benson and Louis Edgar Williams Henderson. His mother tied different colored ribbons to their ankles to tell them apart. Boyd and Ralph remained hard to tell apart for most people for their entire 100 years. Boyd’s family moved to Pocatello when he was a teenager. He graduated from Pocatello High School in 1936. He earned his Eagle Scout Rank on February 10, 1939.

His twin brother Ralph was drafted into the army in 1940. Boyd decided to volunteer at his mother’s request to be with his brother. When Boyd was stationed in Fort Warren Wyoming, he used a 3 day pass to travel to Pocatello and pick up his sweetheart Ethel Chilton. They traveled on to Salt Lake City and were married on October 8, 1941 in the Salt Lake Temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Boyd took his bride, Ethel, back to Pocatello and returned to Fort Warren. He served honorably and with great courage in World War ll. He fought across North Africa, Italy, France, Germany and Austria. He aided in liberating Camp Dachau, was award the Purple Heart, Bronze Star and was a POW. We are forever grateful he was divinely protected and returned home to his family.

After the war, Boyd and his wife Ethel joined his parents and siblings working at a sawmill in the Salmon- Challis National Forest. This led to the twins, Boyd and Ralph, opening up the Henderson Lumber Company on Poleline Road. The two of them built many homes for people in Pocatello and Blackfoot.

Boyd served the Pocatello community as a County Commissioner. He was instrumental in putting the mascot sign on Pocatello High School. He, his wife, and all 9 children graduated from Pocatello High School.  Boyd served as a leader in the Boy Scouts of America and on other boards. He and his wife assisted many individuals financially to serve missions for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day Saints.

In the church, he served as a Bishop, Stake President and Regional Representative. Boyd and his sweetheart Ethel presided over the Australia Melbourne Mission and served in the Idaho Falls Temple for 14 years.

Boyd is a loving husband, devoted father of 9 children, guiding grandfather of 42 grandchildren and 37 greatgrandchildren, true friend to his siblings, honorable son, a gracious neighbor, and a faithful member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Boyd’s favorite color is orange. He loved popcorn, root beer, licorice, peppermint salt water taffy, baseball, BYU football, reading the newspaper and sitting by a warm fire. He was a very hard worker and successful self-employed businessman. He enjoyed singing, telling a joke, flower and vegetable gardening.

He is the last of his 7 siblings to pass on. He was preceded in death by his parents, Anna Eugenia Benson and Louis Edgar Williams Henderson, his brothers Louis, Dean and Sydney Henderson, sisters  Helen H. Passey, Anna H. Atkinson, Joyce H. Sainsbury and of recent, his identical twin brother Ralph, his son Gregg and beloved wife Ethel.

His children are Kent & (Mardell) Henderson of St. George Utah; Tascile & (Joseph) Fleischel of South Jordan Utah; Louis Henderson of Pocatello, Idaho; Trevor Henderson of Pocatello, Idaho; Lyle and (Michelle) Henderson of Riverton, Utah; Cornell & (Kayleen) Henderson of Pocatello, Idaho; Melanie & (Benjamin) Allen of Provo, Utah; and Jason & (Tonja) Henderson of River Heights, Utah.

His children express gratitude to the Idaho State Veterans home staff, for their love and care for Boyd.