Boyce Vardiman

September 1, 1932 – January 16, 2019. Boyce Arnold Vardiman, 86, of Waco and West, TX, died in Bryan, TX. A Celebration of Life will be held at 1:00 PM on Saturday, February 9 at Lake Shore Baptist Church in Waco. In lieu of flowers, donations in Boyce’s memory may go to Caritas of Waco at 300 S. 15thStreet, Waco, TX 76701, or any worthy cause.

Boyce was preceded in death by his parents Boyce Taylor Vardiman and Scottie Marie Arnold Vardiman, daughter Deborah Ann Vardiman and granddaughter Taylor Carolyn Mosley. He married Jane Carolyn Jones of Belton in 1954.

After graduating from Killeen High School, Boyce attended Texas A&M, and graduated from Southwestern University in Georgetown in 1953 with a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology. He then received a degree in divinity from Perkins Seminary at Southern Methodist University while serving Methodist churches in Mertens and Irene, TX.

Boyce served for 3 years in the US Air Force as a Chaplain at Lowry Air Force Base, Denver CO. After returning to Texas he served multiple churches in Central Texas and Dallas. His final church assignment was in West, TX where he retired from the United Methodist Church after 27½ years of ministry.

Always very capable in many ways, Boyce built and remodeled scores of homes in West and the surrounding area as Har-Vard Construction, Inc., with wife Jane as the business manager. He worked hard with many families to achieve their dream of home ownership by financing mortgages they could not otherwise obtain. Boyce and Jane also owned, developed, and managed the Waco/West KOA Campground north of West in 1972-1977. As a small plane enthusiast with an instrument rating pilot’s license, Boyce was a member and leader of Chapter 59 of the Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA); led the construction of the Chapter’s outstanding hangar, meeting facilities, and aviation museum in McGregor; and volunteered with Young Eagles, a program designed to give children ages 8 to 17 an opportunity to experience flight in a general aviation airplane while educating them about aviation.

Boyce had a passion for justice and environmental causes and spoke out and worked for racial equality and economic opportunity for all. He was a longtime member of the West Kiwanis and Waco Friends of Peace. He enjoyed fishing, hiking and camping, and tinkering with cars, carpentry projects, and gardening.

Boyce is survived by his wife Jane of Waco, daughter Rebecca Vardiman and her husband Nelson Cleavenger of Cumberland, MD, daughter Harriet Vardiman Smith and her husband Dr. Phil Smith of Bryan, brother Dr. John Vardiman of Beaumont, sister Scottie Isham of West, grandson Dean Kusler, granddaughters Valerie Martin and Rebecca Mosley, nieces Anne Harris, Carmen Burghardt, and Rose Billingsley, and nephew Dr. Arnold Vardiman.

Condolences

  1. Although no words can take away your sorrow. May it be comforting to you to know that others care! My thoughts and prayers are with you.

    • So sorry to hear of your great loss. We, at Ellerslie UMC, enjoyed your company when you made regular trips to Maryland. RIP….,Gloria Mathews

  2. Rebecca….My condolences on your dads passing……..may gods rich blessings be with you & your family @ this time of loosing your… dad…i know there are no words that can replace him..i can speak from my own personal experience..as time goes by …things will get a lot easier……may god bless you & your family @ this time of your greif…you will always have the memorys!

  3. I never knew Boyce, but feel I did through his daughter Rebecca. I have known her since seminary in the late 80’s and early 90’s. We have served and worked together in Maryland for over a quarter of a century. It is obvious the impact her dad had on her. My condolences to the family. Rev. Rick Jewell

  4. Prayers going up and out to you my heart is really sadden by this I was one of his many caregivers & Mr Boyce grew on me we became good friends I really hate I didn’t get to bring him his ice cream he will be missed.

  5. Reverend Boyce was dynamic and did everything from the heart. Every member of his family that I ever met was a blessing. Love especially to Harriet and Phil.

  6. Having known and been friends with Boyce since 1968, I can say from experience that he was one of the very best people I have ever known. We fished together ( he, Ben Younger and I) and my wife and I spent many fun visits at Boyce and Jane’s home. He and Jane flew in his plane to visit us while I was a resident student at the Army War College in Carlisle, PA, He always supported and encouraged my ministry and career in the U. S Army Chaplaincy. My prayers are with you and your family Jane. Boyce leaves a remarkable and truly outstanding legacy of Faith.

  7. Jane: We were so sorry to read about your loss of Boyce. I never think about anyone else getting old or ill like we do. I know how much he meant to you and his friends and know you will miss him.
    As we both know after losing a child that sadness will stay but the memories of them give us so much more pleasure. Take care.

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