Oliver Boyce, 82, of Stanton, passed away on Sunday, July 3, 2005, in a Big Spring hospital. Graveside military rites will be held at 10:00 AM Thursday, July 7, 2005 at the Evergreen Cemetery Chapel in Stanton with Rev. Robert Boyce, retired Lutheran minister, officiating.The family will receive friends from 6:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M. Wednesday, July 6, 2005 at the funeral home. He was born, April 24, 1923, in Buford, Mitchell County, Texas to Mr. and Mrs. Steve Edward Boyce. His mother, formally a Morrison, died when Oliver was four. His early years were spent in and around Loraine. "Quitating school", as Oliver put it, about the 10th grade, he went to live and farm with his mother's youngest brother, Preston Morrison, near Ackerly in 1937. Shortly after Pearl Harbor, he wanted to volunteer, as every young man did then, but being underage, and not knowing his father's where abouts so as to obtain his consent, and his uncle not being a legal guardian, Oliver had to wait to be inducted. Actually, he hadn't long to wait. Drafted in December of 1942, he was formally inducted at the old Martin County Courthouse that same month and sent to Ft. Sill, Oklahoma. From there he was ordered to Camp McCoy, Wisconsin, becoming a part of the 2nd Infantry Division which was made up of primarily Texans and Oklahomans. There these men received training that was to prove in-valuable when the 2nd Division became an intergal part of the largest invasion force known to mankind, D-Day, June 6, 1944. Oliver's unit was in the first assault wave to hit Omaha Beach at Normandy. Oliver's primary assignment was as he said "a generally handy man" of the assault Engineer Group (2nd Engineer Combat Battalion of the 2nd infantry Division). He became an expert in using flame throwers, mines, satchel charges and the like to open up the way for the infantry to move forward. Olivers unit was also involved in the Battle of the Bulge from December 1944 until January 1945. Following the Battle of the Bulge, Oliver and his unit joined up with Patton's armored division. Oliver and his unit were in Prague, Czechoslavakia when World War II officially ended. Transported back to LeHarve, France, he was then shipped back to Boston and from there sent by train to Ft. Bliss, El Paso, Texas to be discharged. Due to a record's miscue, Oliver had to then journey to the 2nd Division, U.S. Headquarters at Camp Elgin, outside Austin. Among the awards he received while serving on active duty are a Presidential citation with cluster, six battle stars, a purple heart, a bronze star and a silver star. Oliver was discharged on October 7, 1945 and returned to his uncle's farm near Ackerly. Oliver was willingly drafted into World War II, not because he liked war, far from it, but because as he says with emphasis today, "I did and will do anything I feel is right for this grand country we have privilege to enjoy as well as complain in". Shortly after returning he met and married Mary Frances Anderson on December 23, 1947 in Lamesa, Texas, a Stanton native, the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Dudley Anderson. She preceded him in death on January 19, 1991. He enjoyed trading and was proud of his military record. He is survived by his daughter, Becky Boyce of Stanton. He was also preceded in death by his parents, two brothers and three sisters. Arrangements under the direction of Gilbreath Funeral Home of Stanton. Online condolences can be made at: www.npwelch.com,
