The Hicksville community lost one of its bravest members last week, Honorary Fire Department Chief William Boyd.
Boyd joined the Hicksville Fire Department in August 1959 as a member of Ladder Company 6. Over his 54 years of service, he served in various roles, including 2nd Lieutenant and 1st Lieutenant of Company 6, before being elected Captain in 1970 and 1971. After years as an officer, Boyd served the department under various chiefs committees, including co-Chairman of House to House, chairman of the Department of Welfare, and chairman of Department Budget. In addition, he was on various Company 6 Captain’s Committees and was elected Captain of the Fire Police for 2001 and 2002. In 2009, Boyd was granted the title of Honorary Chief as he celebrated 50 years with the Hicksville Fire Department. Honorary Chief Charles DiStefano worked out of Firehouse Station 3 in Hicksville with Boyd. He remembers Boyd as being a gentlemen and very family oriented.
“He was a very good man,” DiStefano said. “He said what he thought and was an honest person.”
Boyd was well liked by his fellow firemen. When company members would see him, they would hit their chest with their hand over their heart and say “Hail Willy.”
“I don’t know how it started but company members would say it all the time when they saw him,” DiStefano said.
Mike Galdo remembers Boyd as being his first captain.
“He was an excellent captain and taught me a lot. He served during World War 2 and his leadership style was based on the military. He was very fair and we all respected someone like that,” Galdo says.
He was in his mid-eighties when he passed away in late September. He was survived by Agnes, his wife of over 60 years, his children Carol, Nancy and William Jr., grandchildren and one great grandchild.
