Ronald ‘Ronnie’ Lee Boyd, 81, of Hillsboro, died at 8:36 a.m., on Monday, March 23, 2026.
Funeral services will be on Friday, March 27, at 11 a.m. at Hough-Dean Funeral Home in Hillsboro. Visitation will be from 10 a.m. until the time of service. Interment will take place at Oak Grove Cemetery in Hillsboro, at a later date.
Mr. Boyd was born on June 13, 1944, in Hillsboro; he was raised by his grandparents, Paul and Bessie Boyd, who both preceded him in death. He was known to those that knew him best as Ronnie Boyd. He graduated from Hillsboro High School, a proud member of the undefeated 9-0 Hillsboro Football Team of 1961, which was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2021.
Mr. Boyd married the former Norma Laurent on Nov. 21, 1964, though the marriage ended they maintained a close friendship that lasted throughout his life.
A lineman for Illinois Power and Ameren for 38 years, Mr. Boyd was a member of IBEW Union Local #309 in Collinsville. Most of his life, he enjoyed drag racing and was a member of the National Hot Rod Association. At his home track, Motion Raceway in Assumption, he raced his Boss 302 Mustang “Good Vibrations.” Mr. Boyd then raced a front engine dragster, eventually moving into rear engine dragsters competing in both Super Comp and Comp Classes.
Mr. Boyd stopped driving and spent 15 years as the clutch specialist on Tim Wilkerson’s Alcohol and Nitro Funny Cars until he retired from racing and started shooting. Mr. Boyd enjoyed 600 and 1,000 yard competitive shooting and was ranked second in the world at one time by the International Benchrest Shooters, and he was a proud member of the Litchfield Sportsman’s Club.
Mr. Boyd is survived by his daughter, Dionne (Kenneth) Manzer of Raymond; sister, Joan Compton of Springfield; two grandchildren, Gabe (Tracie) Murphy, and Nicole (Paul Avila) Murphy Avila; and great-grandson, Paul Avila II.
Memorials honoring Mr. Boyd may be made to the Litchfield Sportsman’s Club, 4047 Old Litchfield Trail, Litchfield, IL, 62056. Hough-Dean Funeral Home is assisting the family. To express condolences to the family online, place an order for flowers, or for directions, please visit www.houghdeanfh.com.
