Lieutenant Colonel (Retired - U.S.A.F.) George Venable Boyd III, 71, of Waldorf, Md., died October 9, 2013, in Waldorf, Md. Born January 3, 1942, in Franklin, TN he was the oldest son of the late George Venable Boyd II and the late Sarah Elizabeth (Beasley) Boyd.

An avid fan and 1965 graduate of North Carolina State University, Lt. Col. (ret) Boyd led a 22-year military career living in Wyoming, Florida, California, Ohio, Maryland, and Massachusetts in which he worked with the man space and shuttle program and missile defense systems programs (specifically, the Apollo missions) ending his career as Chief of Acquisition Systems Management of the Inspector General. This full career continued after retirement from the United States Air Force as he worked in defense contracting most recently with Navy Manufacturing Technology at Indian Head.

Gardening and tending to his vegetables filled his spare time while he most enjoyed attending NC State football games cheering on the Wolfpack with his three brothers. He spent the summers vacationing at the beach or visiting Disney World with his three children and six grandchildren. His love of country and family was never unwavering.

George was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 46 years, Patricia Eckols Boyd of Waldorf, Md.

He is survived by his daughters, Michelle Boyd Goodsite (Daniel) of Acworth, Ga., Tricia Kinnier Ledford (Keith) of Blue Ridge, Ga., and Amy Boyd Willard (Eric) of Pinnacle, N.C.; and grandchildren, Hannah Grace Goodsite, Tommy Keith Ledford III, Walker Daniel Goodsite, Clara Jane Willard, Addie Elizabeth Willard, and Tatum Kinnier Ledford. He is also survived by three brothers, James Beasley Boyd (Cathy), Franklin Kinnier Boyd (Patricia, deceased), and Richard Dodd Boyd (Kathy Rodgers).

Visitation will be held from 5 p.m. until the time of service at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, October 16 at Raymond Funeral Services, La Plata, MD. A funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, October 19, 2013, at Greenlawn Funeral Home in the chapel with internment to follow in .C.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Fisher House (www.fisherhouse.org), Wounded Warrior (www.woundedwarriorproject.org), or charity of choice.

Arrangements provided by Raymond Funeral Service.