Beloved Memphis Pastor Dies In Tragic Accident After Car Hits Tree

Over the weekend, a pastor in Tennessee died after being involved in a fatal car accident.

According to the Memphis Commercial Appeal, the pastor of Greenwood CME Church in Memphis, Rev. Willie Boyd Jr. passed away after his car hit a tree. He was pronounced dead at the scene of the accident by the Shelby County Fire Dept.

SCSO patrol and traffic investigators have responded to a single vehicle crash at 7 pm on N. Reed Hooker Rd. near Monterey Rd. in Eads where a vehicle struck a tree. The driver was pronounced deceased on the scene by Shelby County Fire Dept. This accident is under investigation. pic.twitter.com/hNzteNL8r5

— ShelbyTNSheriff (@ShelbyTNSheriff) October 9, 2022

SCSO has identified 44-year-old Willie Boyd of Eads as the person who suffered fatal injuries in the crash.

— ShelbyTNSheriff (@ShelbyTNSheriff) October 9, 2022

Boyd leaves behind his wife, Ebony Boyd, and three children.

Bishop Emeritus Henry Williamson Sr. of the Christian Methodist Episcopal Church spoke dearly about Boyd, who became the pastor of Greenwood CME Church two years ago.

“We miss him like a son or a brother,” Williamson said. “That’s how people thought about him. A son or a brother. He’s irreplaceable.”

“We needed his skills and abilities to handle a major charge and a great congregation. And the people of his church both at Martin and at Greenwood loved him tremendously. He was a master pastor and administrator in the life of the church.”

The 44-year-old pastor had just posted on his Facebook page about celebrating his birthday this past weekend.

His wife left a message asking for prayer for her loss.

“One thing I know! My husband said it best! God Will NEVER Leave me alone!!! And I know in my heart where my husband’s soul rest!!! My husband was SAVED! And that’s all that matters He is with his Lord and Savior! I love you forever Willie Boyd! Please say a special prayer for my children. I see your calls! I see your text! Please be patient with me.”

The Rev. Marvin Frank Thomas Sr., the bishop of the Christian Methodist Episcopal Church, stated that he was looking forward to a “bright future” with Boyd.

“We are saddened by his unfortunate death and certainly our prayers are for his wife Ebony and their three beautiful children and certainly the Greenwood CME church congregation in the loss of their pastor. Rev. Boyd was certainly one of the leaders in our denomination. … He has provided stellar leadership, very active in community and a heart for people, a great love of the gospel, a great preacher and a great singer.”

Boyd worked at the Shelby County Assessor’s Office as a community outreach coordinator for 12 years.