James Boland Jr.

Posted on October 6, 2023

James Boland Jr. peacefully entered eternal rest on Oct. 4, 2023, at the Big Bend Hospice House in Tallahassee. He was born on Jan. 20, 1928, in Wacissa to Jim and Annie Snyder Boland. James is survived by: his wife, Bette Roberts Boland; daughter, Lynn Boland Rhymes (John); son, Jeffery Boland (Connie), all of Wacissa, Florida; his grandchildren, Jamie Boland (Katherine), Bette Lynn Carswell, John Boland (Jennifer), Sarah Boland Skipper (Bryant), all of Wacissa; greatgrandchildren, Everett Boland, Finley Boland, Eva Boland, Bradford Boland, Eliza Boland, Bennett Skipper, Wells Boland, Marlene Skipper and Wyatt Skipper; and sisters-in-law Melinda Poppell Lilliston (Tommy) and Frances Roberts. He was predeceased by: his parents; five siblings, Willard Boland, Annie May Boland Hyatt, Wilton Boland, Mattie Lee Boland Kennedy and Anna Boland Marrone; and brother-inlaw, Johnny Roberts. He left behind many family members and friends who loved him dearly. James Boland Jr. married the love of his life, Bette Roberts, on June 19, 1948. They lovingly spent 75 years together up until the moment of his passing. He loved many things in his life, but family was the top priority. Every Sunday his family brought him so much joy while gathering at “Nana & Big Daddy’s” house after Sunday services. Second to sharing in those memories were logging, hunting and fishing the fresh water of the Wacissa River or in the Gulf of Mexico at St. George Island. He was a reliable source to supply mullet for many church, school and family fish frys over the years. Ask anyone who has been on a fishing trip with him and they will tell you James didn’t leave until all the fish were in the boat, no matter how long it took. His determination and willingness to succeed in anything he did forged a path to success in business and in life. In 1952, he and his business partner, Myers Williams, created Williams and Boland Logging. Over the years as the business grew, his son, Jeffery Boland, Fred Williams and his son, Bradley Williams, joined. James continued to work in the logging industry when Boland Timber Company was formed in 2000 therefore allowing he and Jeffery to mentor grandsons, Jamie and John, who are actively involved today. In 1962, James was elected to the Jefferson County School board and served nine terms before retiring in 1998. At the time, he was the longest serving elected official in the State of Florida. He was honored to have the Jefferson County School Transportation Center in Monticello dedicated to him. James was a proud World War Il veteran, where he served in the United States Army on Guam in the Western Pacific. He was an active and faithful member of the Wacissa Pentecostal Holiness Church, holding the office of Trustee for many years. James will be remembered for his big, welcoming smile and giving heart. He would extend an invitation to “stay awhile, you don’t have to leave yet,” or “come see me and have something to eat” to anyone within ear shot. He loved all babies and would tell his grandbabies and great-grands too, “Come to the one who loves you the most.” Now, James is with God, and we are comforted in knowing, God is saying, “Come to the One who loves you the most.” James Jr. will be remembered and honored on Monday, Oct. 9, at 11 a.m. at Wacissa Pentecostal Holiness Church on Tram Road in Wacissa, with graveside services following at Beth Page Cemetery. A time of visiting for family and friends will take place afterward in the church fellowship hall. In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to Big Bend Hospice House at 1723 Mahan Center Blvd. Tallahassee, Fla., or Wacissa Pentecostal Holiness Church, P.O. Box 343, Wacissa Fla.