Dr. Willie “Bill” Boyd announces retirement from DCSD after 50 years
Dr. Willie “Bill” Boyd Sr., currently the interim superintendent for the Darlington County School District, has announced he will retire at the end of the academic year. Boyd served the school district with the highest distinction for 50 years in numerous capacities across the education spectrum.
“It truly takes an exceptional individual to devote 50 years of his life to educating our young people,” said Jamie Morphis, chairman of the Darlington County Board of Education. “Dr. Boyd is a well-respected leader, educator, bridge builder and advocate, and I expect those aspects will continue long into his retirement. We thank him for his time, energy and dedication to our families, employees, students and community. His wisdom, humor and guidance will be greatly missed by all of us, but if ever anyone deserves a rest, it is Dr. Boyd. We wish him best of luck.”
Boyd began his career in the district as a teacher at Mayo High School in 1968 shortly after his return from the Vietnam War, where he served as a combat infantryman. He eventually became assistant principal there before taking over as principal of Rosenwald High School. In 1982, he returned to Mayo as principal. Upon the encouragement of his mentor, Dr. I.A. Greene, Boyd later joined the district’s administrative team as transportation director. He went on to become assistant to the superintendent, assistant superintendent for administration and associate superintendent for pupil personnel. He assumed his closing role of interim superintendent of the district in August.
“I have been blessed to work with many talented and dedicated people over my 50-year tenure,” Boyd said. “I have truly enjoyed serving the children of Darlington County. If I had to do it all over again, I would fill out my application today. I’d like to thank our board members, administrators and employees for giving so much of themselves to our students. I’d especially like to thank my beautiful wife, Patricia, for her unwavering support and love over these many years.”
Earlier this year, the Darlington County Board of Education hired Dr. Tim Newman to be the district’s new superintendent.
“It has been a great experience to work with Dr. Boyd through this transition period,” Newman said. “There is no substitute for 50 years of knowledge and experience in this district, and I have learned a great deal already. We will miss Dr. Boyd, but we wish him the best of luck in his retirement.”
In 2005, Boyd was named the South Carolina Transportation Director of the Year. In 2012, the Greater Darlington Chamber of Commerce named him the Citizen of the Year. Three years later, the S.C. Association of School Administrators bestowed upon him its Lifetime Achievement Award.
Boyd serves on the Florence-Darlington Technical College Board of Directors, as well as the McLeod Health Board of Trustees and the First Church of God Board of Trustees. Boyd is married to Patricia White Boyd, and they have four children.
