Mr. Boyd Daniel Lee, 95, of Franklin, NC passed away peacefully at home, leaving behind a legacy of love and service. Born in Lake Toxaway NC, on October 30, 1929, Boyd was the eldest child of the late Arwood Lee and Eva McCoy Lee.

Boyd's commitment to service led him to join the United States Army in 1948 where he served in Japan with the 11th Airborne Division. He was one of the first graduates of the Army's Riggers School. He went on to become a Master Rigger and completed 23 years of distinguished service. His military career included tours in Japan, Thailand, France and German. He served in the Vietnam War where he was awarded the Bronze Star. As a paratrooper in the 101st Airborne Division, he had over 160 parachute jumps and 194 hours of combat flying in Vietnam. Following his military service, he graduated with an Associate degree in Business Administration and joined the Army ROTC Department at Western Carolina University where he served for 20 years as quartermaster and mentor to young officer candidates.

He joined the local VFW and American Legion organizations becoming a member of the Honor Guard where he served on more than 800 funeral details. He believed that every veteran deserved the respect, dignity and honor of a military funeral.

As a Shriner, he spent countless hours fundraising and shuttling kids and their parents to the Shriner's Children's Hospital in Greenville, SC. He sponsored over 72 children in the Shriner's Hospital from Macon, Jackson and Swain counties.

Boyd and Juanita loved to travel throughout the world and he was an avid lover of history, an expert gardener and a prolific craftsman. He created thousands of craft items as a weaver, woodworker and leatherworker.

In 1950, Boyd married the love of his life, Juanita Allen, and together they built a beautiful family with four children. Boyd's greatest joy was being a devoted husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather to his 4 children, 9 grandchildren and 9 great grandchildren. His presence will be deeply missed.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in Boyd's memory to Shriner's Hospital for Children or St. Jude's Children's Hospital honoring his generous spirit and commitment to helping others.

The family wishes to express their utmost appreciation to Four Seasons Hospice Care, Franklin, NC for their dedicated team of caregivers who provided their love and support.

Online condolences can be made at www.maconfuneralhome.com.

Macon Funeral Home is handling the arrangements.