On Saturday, May 15, 1948, the late James Alloway Boyland and Willie Mae Degrafenried welcomed the arrival of their son, Willie James Boyland, in Mason, TN. Willie James Boyland made his departure at Baptist Hospital East in Memphis, TN on  Friday, June 21, 2024 at the hour of 12:04 p.m.

He received his education from Barrett's Chapel where he was a twelfth-grade graduate. Because of his charismatic demeanor and genuine care for others, Willie was famed for his warm smile that would brighten your day. As a result, most people knew him as "Smiley."

During his lifetime, Willie was a retiree of Royal Furniture, and in his latter years, he was employed with Kroger where he served faithfully for 15 years.  The beloved Willie James Boyland leaves to celebrate his life, love, and fond memories: his one son, Maurice Boyland of Memphis, TN; four siblings, Martha Mosley and Charlie James Boyland, both of Memphis, TN, and Bettye Kirk and Linda Boyland, both of Mason, TN; two brothers-in-law, Leonard Byears, Sr., of Chicago, IL, and Lawrence Morris, Jr., of Spring, TX; three grandsons; a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends.

In addition to his parents, those preceding him in death included his stepfather, Cornell Holly; and four siblings, Dorothy Boyland, Jerry Lewis Boyland, Mary Byears, and Forstine Morris.