Boyd Burleson

Asheville – Boyd Ray Burleson passed away Wednesday, December 21, 2022 after a period of declining health.

Boyd was born in Buncombe County on May 11, 1930. While in school, Boyd lived part time with his aunt in Cincinnati, Ohio. While there, he worked for Baldwin Piano Company, his first job and one that he dearly loved. Boyd served proudly in the US Navy. He was stationed at the Naval Air Base at Kodiak, Alaska, then he served aboard the Heavy Cruiser USS St. Paul in the Pacific 7th Fleet.

After returning to NC, Boyd was employed by Esso Standard Oil Company at Asheville, Durham, and Greensboro. In the early sixties, Boyd was an Esso Distributor for a while. During that time, he built the Esso Station on Hwy 19/23 at Flat Creek, later known as Riddle’s Exxon. Boyd owned a farm for a while. He and his brother, Morris Hensley, enjoyed restoring old farm tractors. They restored old Ford’s, Fergusons Farmall’s, and a few old John Deere’s. Some were used in Holiday and Christmas parades at various locations. Boyd and his wife Theresa owned and operated two furniture stores for several years – Burleson’s Discount Furniture and Woodcraft Unfinished Furniture, with stores in Asheville and Fletcher. Boyd was of the Baptist faith and was a member at West Asheville Baptist Church. He dearly loved his Sunday school Class.

In recent years, Boyd was involved in Real Estate Investments, including Lake Properties in upstate South Carolina, an area he loved and spent a lot of time.

Boyd was preceded in death by his grandparents, Zeb and Matilda Burleson; father, Kermit Burleson; mother, Bertha Ledford Hensley; infant brother, Wade Burleson; brothers, Morris Hensley and Ralph Burleson; son, Neal Burleson, granddaughter, Tasha Burleson, and his beloved aunt, Beatrice McKenzie.

Surviving are his wife, Theresa of the home; daughters, Joan Burleson (Jim Mulligan) and Beverly Burleson all of Denver, CO and sister, Linda Gail Tolley (Paul) of Asheville.

Other beloved friends and their families who will remember Boyd include: Winda Lea Hensley, Elaine Watkins (Gary), Lynn Carter (Neil), Cheryl Mueller (Roy), Corky Hollifield (Janey), Clayton and Rodney Hensley, Rick Burleson, Travis Tolley, and many other nephews, nieces, and cousins.

No funeral services are planned at this time.

A celebration of life services will be held at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Burleson Cemetery, c/o Mrs. Lillian Riddle, 11 Speedy Drive, Barnardsville, NC 28709. (Please make checks payable to Lillian Riddle)

Anders-Rice Funeral Home is Honored to serve the Burleson Family.