Lester Gritman Boyd, a former 30-year resident of Pacific Palisades, died October 5 in Camarillo. He was 93. Lester served as a letter carrier for the U.S. Postal Service in Pacific Palisades for 30 years, and was honored for a perfect driving record. His route in the upper Riviera neighborhood included the home of Governor Ronald Reagan, before he moved to the White House. As a teenager living in the state of Washington in 1930, Lester rode down Pacific Coast Highway in a Model A Ford with his parents and two older brothers to live in Hollywood. He graduated from Hollywood High and briefly attended the University of Southern California. In 1943, Lester joined the U.S. Army and after graduating from radio repair school served as an airplane electrical mechanic aboard a Navy repair ship. He served in the Pacific campaign under threat of attacks and endured several typhoons at sea. Upon being honorably discharged in 1946 with the rank of sergeant, Lester came to the Palisades to live with his brother and sister-in-law, Robert and Clara Boyd, on Hartzell Street. He soon met Otilia Lucy Reynolds, better known as ?Tillie,? and they married in 1951. They lived on Galloway Street until moving to Via de la Paz in 1956. In 1976 they retired to Camarillo, where they lived together until Tillie?s death in 2000. Lester and Tillie shared an appreciation for church, music, travel and golf. They loved to visit Hawaii and enjoyed exploring the world as far away as Israel and Japan. At home or away, they golfed wherever they could find a course. Lester scored a hole-in-one three times during competitive play. As founding members of the Christian Church of Pacific Palisades on Via de la Paz that eventually became Calvary Church, Lester served on the church board and Tillie taught Sunday school. They were also founding members of Sunset Baptist Church, which held its Sunday services in the Marquez Elementary School auditorium until it closed in 1965. They returned to Calvary Church until they moved to Camarillo. Lester Boyd always knew how to have a good time and enjoyed his 93rd birthday party. He was described by his good neighbor and Palisadian friend, David A. Grimason, as ?one of a kind.? Anyone who knew him would most likely agree. He is survived by his nephew, Larry Boyd (wife Sue and son Larry Jr.) and his niece, Colleen Boyd Turner (children James and Kim Turner and nephew David Boyd). A graveside service will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, October 11 at Pierce Brothers Valhalla Memorial Park, 10621 Victory Blvd., North Hollywood. A period of remembrance and viewing will start at 9 a.m. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Paralyzed Veterans of America, 801 Eighteenth St., NW Washington, D.C. 20006-3517, or by calling (800) 555-9140.
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