The Air Force has identified the airman who was found dead at his home near Cannon Air Force Base in New Mexico.
Senior Airman William J. Boyd, 27, was discovered dead at his home in Clovis, New Mexico, at about 2:45 p.m. local time Wednesday, Cannon said in a release Friday. Boyd was an AC-130W instrument and flight control systems journeyman for the 16th Aircraft Maintenance Unit, 27th Special Operations Aviation Maintenance Squadron. It was his first assignment since joining the Air Force in January 2013, the release said.
Cannon said one of Boyd’s roommates found him. The cause of death is still being investigated, the release said.
“This tragedy comes as a shock,” base commander Col. Ben Maitre said in the release. “Every member of this elite unit is a critical part of our air commando family. We are grieving alongside Airman Boyd’s family and friends, and extend our heartfelt condolences to them.”
Boyd’s maintenance squadron commander, Lt. Col. Ahave Brown, said of Boyd, “Joey was very well liked and appreciated.”
“He answered his nation’s call to serve and protect at a critical time in its history,” Brown said. “We all feel a great and personal loss in this very untimely death.”
Boyd is survived by his parents. His body will be transported to Jackson, Mississippi, where he was from, for his funeral. Arrangements are still being made.
Cannon said that members of Boyd’s unit are also planning to hold a memorial service for him at the base chapel July 12.
A photograph of Boyd was not immediately available.
Stephen Losey covers personnel, promotions, and the Air Force Academy for Air Force Times. He can be reached at slosey@airforcetimes.com.
