Midlothian community members had kind words for public servant Boyce Whatley, who served as mayor of the city from May 2005 to December 2011 and filled numerous other roles in city leadership.
Word was received last week that Whatley died on Sept. 17 at the age of 66.
“On behalf of the Midlothian City Council and staff, Mayor Justin Coffman extends his heartfelt condolences to the family of Boyce Layne Whatley upon his passing,” the city posted on its Facebook page. “Our community lost a true leader, supporter and friend with the passing of Boyce on Sept. 17.”
According to the city’s social media, Midlothian had the honor and benefit of 18 years of public service from Whatley, who served as a member of the Park Board (1989-1992), Midlothian Community Development Corporation (original member 1998-1999), Planning and Zoning Commission (1998-1999), Capital Improvement Program Citizens Advisory Committee (1998), City Council (1999-2005).
“During the years he displayed exemplary dedication to the best interests of this community by working tirelessly for the betterment of its economic, cultural, and aesthetic development,” the city stated. “He brought an array of talents to his performance of this job and represented the city with vigor and an unrivalled passion.”
Whatley’s life was celebrated on Saturday at First Methodist Church in Midlothian. Memorial gifts in his name can be made to the church’s Care Ministry for Assisted Living or Food for Kids programs.
“Boyce and his wife Sheila were married for 42 years,” the city stated. “He was a caring and loving husband, father, grandfather, and a faithful community servant.”
He is also survived by his daughter Kelsie Merrell and her husband Clay and their two children Fallon and Jack; his son Hayden Whatley and his wife Brenna and their two children Emerson and Madelyn; his sister Rhonda Reznick and her daughter Jordan, his brother Jim Nast and his wife Robin and his brother Kyle Stuart.
He is preceded in death by his father, Madren Boyce Whatley and his mother Darline Rawson Whatley along with grandparents, aunts, uncles and other family.
Whatley left office at the end of 2011 and the following year ran for Ellis County Precinct 3 Commissioner, a race he lost in a runoff against incumbent Heath Sims. The third-place finisher, the late Paul Perry, eventually won the seat in 2016 and held it until Perry’s death in February of this year.
In February 2012, the city of Midlothian hosted a reception to recognize Whatley’s 20 years of service to the community.
“None of this would have been possible without my wife, and I thank her and my children for putting up with absence sometimes as mayor,” Whatley said at the time.
“My passion is serving others and I feel I can do more for Midlothian and other cities in the county by running for county commissioner. There are few decisions I would take back. Hindsight is 20/20, but I feel like I frequently made the best decision with the information and resources I had at the time to make Midlothian a wonderful place to work, live and play.”
