On Friday, June 25, 2021, Boncil Henry (Bo) Dyches, of Aiken, passed away peacefully and is now at rest with Elizabeth Borden (Lib) Dyches, his beloved wife of 68 years, both in the arms of their Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. He was 91 years old and lived a full and blessed life.
Bo was born on October 7, 1929, in an apartment above the jailhouse in Barnwell, SC, where his father served as the Barnwell County Sheriff. His father passed away in August 1932 when Bo was three years old. His mother, Georgia moved with him and his sister Mary Jane to Columbia, SC where he was raised through elementary and high school.
He was recruited to play football at The Citadel where he played as a tackle during his four years as a cadet. At The Citadel, each cadet’s class ring contains melted gold from rings donated to the respective school by deceased alumni. As a Citadel graduate, he earned the right to wear “The Ring” which requires rigorous study, great sacrifice, and loyal service and he honored this, highly regarded, and strongly imposed right throughout his life.
Upon his graduation, he married Lib and shortly thereafter was posted to England where he served as an officer in the Air Force during the Korean war.
After his military service, he enjoyed a successful career as an industrial engineer and the “Answer Man” for the Chevron Corporation. He was a father of four, Deborra (Debbi Dyches) Campbell, Elizabeth (Beth Dyches) Keen, Paul Dyches and Mary Catherine (Dyches) Hendry; a grandfather of nine, Stephanie (Campbell) Cristofanelli and Geoff Campbell, Jessica (Keen) Paulding and John Christopher (Bucky) Keen; Sarah, Anna, Rachel, and Colin Hendry; and Ben Dyches; and a great grandfather of four, Caroline and Katherine Cristofanelli, and Gracie and Andie Claire Paulding.
He was preceded in death by his father, a former Sheriff of Barnwell County, Boncil Henry Dyches, Sr, his mother Georgia Durden (Dyches) Cooke, his sister, Mary Jane (Dyches) Fulton, his uncle and aunt, Mandel (former Mayor of Aiken, SC) and Belle Surasky. He is survived by his half-brother, Larry Cooke and a number of nieces and nephews.
Consistent with their deep faith and love for Jesus Christ, Bo and Lib were faithful members of New Covenant Presbyterian Church (NCPC) in Aiken SC for 25 years.
A “Celebration of Life” service will be held at NCPC on a date yet to be determined prior to Labor Day 2021.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to New Covenant Presbyterian Church, 526 Hitchcock Parkway, Aiken, SC 29801 or to The Citadel Brigadier Foundation, 69 Hagood Ave, Charleston, SC 29403.
“To live in the hearts of those we love is not to die.”
SHELLHOUSE FUNERAL HOME, INC.,
924 HAYNE AVE., AIKEN, SC 29801
Posted in: Aiken Standard
Posted on: 2021-06-29
Link to original obituary: https://obits.postandcourier.com/us/obituaries/aikenstandard/name/boncil-dyches-obituary?pid=199218411