News

Community leader Cam Boyd dies at age 79

By Bill Moss, Published: September 27, 2024

Lewis Campbell “Cam” Boyd Jr., a community leader and active supporter of his church, his alma mater, Hendersonville High School, and many charities, died Tuesday at the age of 79.

A lifelong resident of Flat Rock, he was the son of the late Helen McGarry Boyd and Lewis Campbell Boyd Sr.

Cam graduated from Hendersonville High School and has been recognized in the HHS Hall of Fame as an outstanding alumnus supporter. He attended Gardner Webb University and is a graduate of the General Motors Institute in Flint, Michigan. During his four years in the United States Air Force, he served three years in Minot, North Dakota, and one year in Vietnam. Upon his return to Hendersonville in 1969, Cam entered the family business, Boyd Pontiac Cadillac and Buick, Inc, which he purchased from his father in 1982.

Cam has served the Hendersonville community as an active supporter and member of the Hendersonville Chamber of Commerce, St James Episcopal Church, Elks Club, Masonic Lodge and the American Legion. He was on the Board of Directors for Flat Rock Playhouse, Historic Flat Rock, Pardee Hospital, First Federal Savings and Loan, First Citizens Bank, NC Automotive Dealers Association, Shrine Club, Rotary, Hendersonville Country Club, Lake Summit Property Owners and an avid supporter of other numerous organizations. Cam established the Boyd Scholarship, honoring his father, which offers scholarships each year to students focusing on automotive technician programs at Blue Ridge Community College.

Cam’s happiest moments in life have been time spent with his family and friends, the many memories he made traveling, golfing and spending time with those he loved most. Cam’s zest for life, positive outlook, and meeting new people made everyone feel like a friend. A gregarious personality, he never met a stranger.

Cam was most proud of his involvement and partnership with the Henderson County Board of Commissioners to help facilitate the expansion of Hendersonville High School.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Lewis Campbell Boyd Sr. and Helen McGarry Boyd, and his in-laws, Alexander Bayard and Betty Clark.

Surviving is his wife of 54 years, Sarah “Sally” Clark Boyd; daughter Emery Boyd Bettis and husband Christopher “Chris” Bettis of Winson Salem; Lewis “Les” Campbell Boyd III and wife Paige Greene Boyd of Hendersonville; grandchildren Sarah Emery Bettis, William “Ames” Bettis, Campbell McGrady Boyd, and Cooper Thomas Boyd; sisters Mary Helen Boyd Zimmerman of Hendersonville; Paula Boyd Irving of Hendersonville; brothers-in-law Robert Irving, Bayard Clark, Emery Clark; nieces and nephews; Beth Zimmerman Thelen, Erin Flynn Dunnuck, Natalie Clark, Jennifer Johnstone, Nadia Clark Hempen, Mills Clark Hall, Emmy Clark and Alex Clark.

A memorial service is scheduled for 1 p.m. Monday, Sept. 30, at St. James Episcopal Church. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Boyd Family Fund c/o The Community Foundation of Henderson County.