Barney Boyce McIlvoy

McIlvoy, Barney Boyce Barney, 73, of Cornville, AZ passed away on January 1, 2010 surrounded by his loving family. Barney, a retired principal, athletic director, and teacher was a kind and loving husband and father who touched many lives throughout his career as an educator. Born in Nimmons, Arkansas on December 7th, 1936, Barney\u0027s family moved to South Lyon, Michigan where he spent his early years. He graduated from South Lyon High School where he was recently inducted into the South Lyon High School Athletic Hall of Fame for his outstanding high school sports career. He served his country in the US Army from 1955 to 1958 serving most of this time in Chitose, Japan. Barney then entered college where he met the love of his life, his wife, Rita. He graduated from Peru State Teachers College in Nebraska in 1962 receiving a Bachelor\u0027s Degree in Education all the while excelling in sports especially baseball and football. Barney continued his education with a Masters Degree and Educational Specialist degree from the University of Iowa in 1971. After completing his degrees at the University of Iowa, Barney packed up his young family and moved to Fairfield, Conn. where he was an Assistant Professor at the University of Bridgeport. Barney has fond memories of Ganado Public Schools in Arizona where he was athletic director for 8 years. His remaining years before retirement were spent as Principal at Superior Elementary and Junior High Schools. He had wonderful memories of the students, faculty and friends in the community. In retirement his greatest joys were golfing, spending time fishing on his boat, cooking, gardening and especially spending time with his children and grandchildren. Barney had a sense of humor that would bring a smile to all. He was a wonderful Husband, Father, Papa, Brother, Uncle and Friend. He will be truly missed and forever in the hearts of all who loved him. Barney is survived by his wife Rita of 47 years: his children David (Karen) McIlvoy, Angela (George) Wolf, Edward McIlvoy, Kelly (Andre) McIlvoy and Edward McIlvoy. His precious surviving grandchildren are Amanda, Richie, Barney, Jake, Cherry, Brandon, Jessie, and Bo. May he rest in peace. A Funeral Mass will be held on Thursday, January 7 at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church at 10:30 AM. He will be inurned at Prescott National Memorial Cemetery at 3 PM Thursday with military honors. An online guestbook is available at www.westcottfuneralhome.com To plant Memorial Trees in memory of Barney Boyce McIlvoy, please click here to visit our Sympathy Store.