Boyd 'Ollie' Oliver, 78

The world has lost one of its truly classic and colorful characters. On April 29, 2016, Boyd “Ollie” Oliver died at the age of 78 after a long battle with a weak heart.

Boyd Oliver was born on Oct. 28, 1937, in Monrovia, Calif., to parents Boyd Golden Oliver and Anne Marie Oliver. He spent his early years in San Jose, Calif., where he went to work at his father’s saddle shop.

Boyd joined the Navy in 1956 and was honorably discharged in 1960. He met his wife, Zelda, and they had a daughter, Cynthia, and raised a stepdaughter, Kathy. They later divorced. He then married Sandra, and was a loving stepfather to her children, Tom and Jamie. After moving to Prescott Valley, Ariz., for a short time, Boyd and Sandy eventually moved to North Idaho. They loved the pristine area surrounding Coeur d’Alene and decided to make this their home.

It’s a good bet that nobody who had the chance to meet Boyd disliked him or forgot their encounter. He always had a joke, and he was always smiling. He had a wit so quick you never saw it coming. He wore a bountiful array of hats to cover his balding head, many of which became a conversation piece. His favorite was the visor cap containing a full head of hair which exuded many a fine joke over the years.

His life was a full one. He loved to work with leather, creating custom belts which became treasured gifts. Boyd also made saddles for sale and became a regional traveling salesman for Weaver Leather. Boyd once said — he loved his job, but to him it was not a job but a means to travel and see his friends. He was a salesman to beat all salesmen, never taking “no” for an answer. To him “no” just meant “not right now.”

Boyd was a miracle of modern medicine, owning 17 stents and surviving multiple heart surgeries. Some of us thought he had a real shot at being the first man to live forever.

Boyd is survived by a brother, Kenneth; his loving wife, Sandy; daughter Cynthia Schmitz; grandchildren Stephen, Tyler and Cody; and great-granddaughter Rianne; stepson Tom Hansen and grandson Erik; stepdaughter Jamie Hansen; grandson Jacob and granddaughter Shelby.

For those who would like to join Boyd’s loved ones in wishing him a fond farewell, the memorial service will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday, May 7, 2016, at Real Life Ministries, 1866 N. Cecil Road, Post Falls, Idaho, in the “upper room.”