January 29, 2024 | Bill DeBerry Funeral Directors
William Lessley Boyd Sr., 72, passed away on January 18, 2025, in Lewisville, Texas. Born on June 3, 1952, in Hammond, Louisiana, to Bennett E. Boyd Jr. and Carolyn Penny Boyd. Lessley led a life marked by an entrepreneurial spirit and a passion for golf.
Lessley graduated from Hammond High School and pursued higher education at North Carolina State University, earning degrees in horticulture and turfgrass management. In his twenties and thirties, he embarked on an entrepreneurial journey. His ventures included farming cacao and importing mahogany, rosewood, and marble from Honduras. It was during this time that he met his ex-wife, Rossana Ramirez Ayala. Together, they built a life in Hammond, raising their two sons, Derek Alan Boyd and William Lessley Boyd Jr.
Lessley’s love for golf began at the age of twelve when he started playing at Oak Knoll Country Club in Hammond. He later became its golf pro and general manager. His career in golf course management flourished as he helped construct the David Toms signature golf course, Carter Plantation, in Springfield, Louisiana, where he worked for eighteen years. He was a proud member of the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America (GCSAA), serving as the Louisiana-Mississippi chapter president, and was recognized with the Golf Course Superintendent of the Year award.
In addition to his professional accomplishments, Lessley was a member of the First Presbyterian Church of Hammond and enjoyed many hobbies, including boating, kayaking, fishing, hunting, hiking, and square dancing.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Bennett E. Boyd Jr. and Carolyn Penny Boyd Morrison. He is survived by his sons, Derek and William; his brothers, Bennett Boyd III and Richard Boyd; his sisters-in-law, Sherry Boyd (Bennett) and Sharon Boyd (Richard); his ex-wife, Rossana Boyd; three nieces, four nephews, and their children.
Family and friends will be received on January 31 at Bill DeBerry Funeral Directors, 2025 W University Dr., Denton, Texas. The viewing will be from 10:00 am to 11:00 am and the service from 11:00 am to 12:00 pm. Interment will follow at Roselawn Memorial Park, 3801 Roselawn Dr, Denton, Texas.
Flowers can be sent to Bill DeBerry Funeral Directors.
About the LGA
The Louisiana Golf Association (LGA) is a mission-driven organization dedicated to unifying the golf community across Louisiana. Since its inception in 1920, the LGA has expanded its scope to offer a variety of championships, including the Junior Amateur Championship and the Louisiana Junior Golf Tour. The LGA is committed to providing exceptional services in Championship Administration, USGA Handicap System oversight, and Rules of Golf authority, ensuring fair play and integrity throughout the state.
The LGA supports golfers of all levels through its Course Measuring and Rating services, comprehensive tournament management, and educational seminars on the Rules of Golf and Amateur Status. By partnering with entities like the Audubon Golf Trail and Gulf States PGA, the LGA fosters growth and inclusivity in the sport.
As the authoritative body for amateur golf in Louisiana, the LGA maintains the WHS Handicap Index, crucial for assessing individual performance, and continues to uphold the game’s traditions and values. For more information, visit LGA.org or contact us at 337-265-3938.
For Media Inquiries:
Maili Bartz
Director of Marketing and Communications
maili@lgagolf.org