Boyce Bernell Buckner

Boyce Bernell Buckner was born to William & Dolly Buckner on their farm in Pike View, Kentucky on July 22, 1927. He was the youngest of four sons who became an avid lover of animals, sports, cars, and school. Boyce went on to graduate from Memorial High School in 1944 and immediately enlisted into the U.S. Navy where he served in the Pacific Theater of World War II and joined a legacy known as the “Greatest Generation”. When he returned home, Boyce returned to the love of his life, Bonnie and married her on August 20, 1949. Boyce also returned to school, graduating from the University of Kentucky in 1951 and commissioning as a Lieutenant in the United States Army, initially as an Infantry Officer, later transferring into the Corps of Engineers. Soon after, Boyce & Bonnie had their first son, Gary Ray, just prior to Boyce having to deploy to serve in the Korean War. Shortly after Boyce’s return, both he and Bonnie had their second son, Boyce Kevin and together, the four of them continued their tour of the entire country and world, until April of 1970 where Boyce had completed his final tour in the Vietnam Conflict and retired as a Lieutenant Colonel at the then Fort Rucker, Alabama. Of note, Boyce earned two Legions of Merit, the Distinguished Flying Cross, Bronze Star Medal, and Six (6) Air Medals, one with “V” device for heroism, over an honorable career that spanned over two decades and three periods of major U.S. conflict. Boyce was a pioneer in the Army Aviation community, graduating as part of the first class of flight school graduates to the U.S. Army and holding numerous ratings in both rotary wing and fixed wing aircraft, flying tens of thousands of flight hours, earning the Master Army Aviator Badge, and setting world records during test flights of experimental aircraft such as the UH-1 Iroquois. In retirement, Boyce, Bonnie, Gary, and Kevin established roots in Tallahassee, Florida and in July of 1970, became the Airport Engineering Administrator in the Operations Bureau of the State of Florida’s Department of Transportation, where he also served the citizens of Florida honorably by building and establishing airports and infrastructure throughout the Sunshine State. After completing his service to the Florida Government, Boyce fully retired and enjoyed his remaining years spending time with his Family, taking much needed vacations, golfing, reading, serving in his church and community, and staying active in the Veteran, Military Officers, and Army Aviation Communities. Boyce is survived by his sister, Barbara, his daughters, Sunny, Lisa, and Frances, his nine grandchildren, Boyce Ryan & Brandie, Jeremy, Derick, MaryAnne, Steven & Cierra, and Jason & Jessica, his seventeen great grandchildren, and a host of family and friends spanning from Kentucky to California. On August 13th, 2024, Boyce went to be with the Lord and joins his wife Bonnie and his two sons, Gary and Kevin. The family will receive friends from 4:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. Friday, August 30th at Bevis Funeral Home. A Celebration of Life service will be held at 9:00 a.m. Saturday, August 31st at Immanuel Baptist Church. Burial will follow with full military honors at MeadowWood Memorial Park. Susie Mozolic of Bevis Funeral Home is assisting the family with their arrangements. (www.bevisfh.com or 850-385-2193)

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Boyce Bernell Buckner

July 22, 1927 - August 13, 2024