Deacon Francis Leroy Halyard

Mr. Francis Leroy Halyard (93 years old) of Summerville, SC passed away at the Veterans Victory House; Walterboro, SC on Saturday, September 2, 2023. Francis cherished God and his family
and will be forever remembered for his kindness, devotion, and the steady and measured guidance he provided to others. 

Francis was born on April 26, 1930, in Colleton County (Ehrhardt) and was one of six children born to the late Scott Halyard Jr and Odessa Murdock Halyard. He was raised in Ashton Community and attended the Friendship Church School located within the community. He also attended Denmark Area Trade School in Denmark SC; currently known as Denmark Technical College specializing in brick masonry and painting. And his family were devout members of Friendship United Methodist Church. He later served in the United States Army as a Private First Class in a trucking and transportation unit in Munich, Germany. After completing his military service, Francis relocated to Queens, New York and reconnected with his childhood friend, the love of his life and his true valentine, Mounsey Boatwright. They married on February 14, 1953.

Francis worked in the engineering department of American Sugar Refinery, Inc., later known as Domino Sugar, primarily as a brick mason and retired in 1987 after 34 years of service. After retiring, he operated his own small business performing masonry work for private and public businesses and organizations throughout his community.

Francis was a valued, longtime member of Williamsburg Christian Church in Brooklyn, NY where he was an Ordained Deacon and President of the Usher Board. He and Mounsey relocated and
joined Deliverance Baptist Church in Queens, NY where he continued to serve as a Deacon. Francis was an amazingly patient, empathetic listener, confidante and sounding board, and he and his late wife, Mounsey were consummate hosts for all whom they loved. Some of his happiest times were traveling to visit dear family and friends. Francis and Mounsey cherished and experienced great joy with their beloved dogs over the years: Bullet, Rusty, and Lady. He loved his church family, even when he could no longer attend, Francis looked forward to participating in the early morning prayer line.

Above all else, Francis’s greatest joy, by far, was spending time with his family. He leaves to cherish affectionate memories his brother, Scott Halyard III of Fairfax, VA; nieces and nephews:
Carl Ayers (Regina) of Lewes, DE, Michael Ayers of Charlotte, NC, Nadine Baker of Bronx, NY, Craig Halyard IV (Kelli) of Scarsdale, NY, Loretta Halyard, New York, NY, Cherie Halyard Mack
(Darrell) of Fairfax, VA, Carolyn Murdock of Florence, SC, Janet Halyard Rivers of Summerville, SC; three godchildren: Janet Mickens (Rodney) of Waldorf, MD, Dennis Williams (Tamara) of
Avon, CT and Iris Bishop Clark (Royce) of Queens, NY, and many other close relatives and friends.

Calling hours will be held at Koger’s Mortuary Service in Walterboro, SC on Saturday, September 9, 2023, from 1 to 3pm. A Celebration of Life will be held at Deliverance Baptist Church in Cambria Heights, NY on Friday, September 15, 2023, at 10am. The burial will immediately follow at Calverton National Cemetery in Wading River, NY. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Deliverance Baptist Church at 227-11 Linden Blvd, Cambria Heights, NY 11411. Koger’s Mortuary Service in Walterboro, SC has care of the arrangements. To share an online condolence, please visit www.kogersmortuarycares.com.

Please Continue to keep the Halyard Family in most uplifting prayer and comfort as they go forth in celebrating the life and legacy of their dearly departed loved on.

To send flowers to the family, please visit our floral store.