Paul William "Tall Paul" Boyd

Paul William “Tall Paul” Boyd, age 83, of Gratis, OH passed away Saturday, November 28, 2020 at Hospice of Butler and Warren Counties in Franklin, OH.  He was born April 20, 1937 in Dayton, OH to the late David Boyd and Treva (Gardner) Lipscomb.  Paul was a U.S. Navy Veteran who served from 1955 to 1959.  His memberships included the Gratis Eagles, West Alexandria Legion Post #322, Gratis Odd Fellows Lodge, Camden Masonic Lodge, National Rifle Association and he served on the Gratis Volunteer Fire Department for many years.  Paul was an avid guitarist and has played multiple genres of music over the last 70 years.  He has been the lead guitarist and vocalist of Tall Paul and the Thunderbirds.  Over the years he taught both guitar and banjo and was a music mentor to many.  A lot of people remember him for his years of playing at the local carnival in Gratis where he often played the street dances.  He played for years with a gospel band that he had formed called the Hymnsmen.  Often, he and a friend Rick Creager would travel campgrounds, churches and nursing facilities to play music.  Most recently he played at the West Alexandria American Legion for the Senior Fun Day dances.  If there was an invite to play, he went.  Paul was also known for his joking, kidding and pranking that he loved to pull.  Years ago, he made a very large set of wooden feet (about 2-foot-long) with straps, one winter night when it snowed, he went out with those feet strapped on and walked around in some of the family’s yards so in the morning everyone was all confused about this, was this possibly Big Foot.  Paul also was a very large lover of animals, and leaves behind his dog Waylon, and two cats Miss Puss and Patches (and the 4 outside that he insisted on feeding).  Over the years he has grown weary, Paul has missed his wife Mary who he cared for when she fell ill, he has missed his granddaughter Jessica who also passed away.  Paul was many things, a musician, an animal lover, a caring husband, a wonderful father and father-in-law, a fun grandfather and an amazing friend and mentor to many.  Paul was also a faithful servant of God, even in troubling times he sought answers and ministry and was a member of the Gratis United Methodist Church.  He was proceeded in death by his wife of 48 years Mary Lou Boyd (2007), and granddaughter Jessica Nicole Hora (1995).  As well as his very dear friends Rick and Betty Creager; step sisters Kaye Speece, Judy Sakae and Jess Lipscomb; mother and stepfather Treva and William Lipscomb; and father and stepmother Dave and Sue Boyd.  He is survived by his daughter and son-in-law December and Lee Harper; two grandsons and granddaughter in laws Jason and Dana Hora, Frankie and Abby Hora and a great granddaughter Brooklynn Hora; special nieces Cheryl Mikesell, Julie Thacker; great nephew Kyle Wilson; sister-in-law Marvel Jordan; brother in law Charles Slough; and many other family members.  He is also survived by many special friends, Charlie Brandenburg, Sharon Whitlock, Jim Jackson, Paul and Wilma Brubaker, Caroline Brubaker, Bob Ring, Tammy (Creager) Lawson, Karen and Brian Tobias, Marlene Mullins, John Kalnai, Jay Combs, Bobby Worley, and many many others.  Visitation will be held on Tuesday, December 1, 2020 from 6:00 to 8:00 pm at the Lindloff-Zimmerman Funeral Home, 113 South Ada Doty Street, Gratis, OH.  Funeral services will be held at 10:30 am on Wednesday, December 2, 2020 at the funeral home with Pastor Gary Wood officiating.  Burial will follow at Fairview Cemetery in Gratis with approximate arrival at the cemetery around 11:30 am for those that wish to attend just the committal service.  Memorial contributions may be sent to the Preble County Humane Society or Gratis United Methodist Church.  Online condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.lindloff-zimmerman.com.