Boyd Charles Emerson

Boyd, 93, of Fountain Hills, AZ passed from this life on Thursday, November 30th, 2023. He was born on August 9th, 1930 in St. Paul, MN to Paul and Johanna Emerson. He was the youngest of six children. He was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers, Dwayne and Gene, his sister, June, and his beloved daughter Jody. He is survived by wife Betty Lou, his daughters, Colleen Emerson-Wheeler of Honolulu, HI, Tammy Emerson of Fountain Hills, AZ, his son, Greg Emerson (Robin) of Fountain Hills, AZ, grandchildren Ryan Oelrich of Honolulu, HI, Ashley Sullivan (Marc) of Fountain Hills, AZ, Brittany Stewart (Ross) of Fountain Hills, AZ, Josh Emerson of Hudson, WI, and great grandchildren Anna, Adeline, Brody, Ava, Rhett, and Brayden. He is also survived by his sister Lorraine Hart of Chandler, AZ, and Paul Emerson (Ann) of Lake Elmo, MN, and many nieces, nephews, and cousins.
Boyd was raised on a farm in River Falls, WI where he learned his work ethic and skills he would use throughout his life. In his early twenties he joined the Navy and spent time in Newfoundland and Guantanamo Bay, building roads with the Seabees, during the Korean War.
He returned home and started working with Orin Thompson homes, doing projects throughout the Twin Cities, and later joined E&H Earthmovers of Lake Elmo, MN. During this time he met the love of his life of 62 years, Betty Lou of Robinsdale, MN. In 1985 they moved their family to Fountain Hills, AZ, where they have spent the last 38 years making memories with their family and friends. Boyd was an avid fisherman and hunter, and was blessed to be able to have the chance to travel around the world pursuing his hobbies. He was known for being a talented craftsman and woodworker; he could build or fix anything, and often helped out family and friends with their projects.
Boyd was a devout believer in Jesus Christ and openly shared his faith with all he would meet. He attended church all his life and instilled the importance of his faith in all the generations of his family. It is this faith and hope in Jesus that brings his family comfort as they know he is reunited with his daughter Jody and one day they will all be together again.
A memorial service will be held on Saturday, January 13, 2024 at 2:00 PM at Cornerstone Family Church (formerly First Baptist Church) of Fountain Hills. A dessert reception will follow.