After graduation from Gatesville High School in 1953, Wayland was called to the ministry and began by pastoring small Methodist churches in the Central Texas area, including Levita, Pearl, Keener Chapel, Bluff Dale and many others, while attending Tarletan State University in Stephenville and Texas Wesleyan University and seminary in Ft. Worth.  He was an ordained minister in the Central Texas Methodist Conference.  He made many special, lifelong friends during those years.

During college, he was a member of the Texas  National Guard for several years.  Later, he became involved in the funeral industry, in several different capacities until he retired, from performing many beautiful services, working in funeral homes to selling funeral cars. Also, he and a partner owned B & B Coaches in DeSoto for several years, where they built stretch limos and hearses.  He also earned many national prizes and accolades for his  proficiency in funeral car sales. He loved the people and all aspects of the industry.

He was a very special man who never met a stranger. He was always there with words of wisdom and encouragement for anyone who needed his help. He will be sorely missed by many.  Preceding him in death were his parents, his beloved wife, Wanda Bratton, and son, Lawrence Boyd, Jr.

Survivors include daughters Donna Bratton Morrison of St. Augustine, Florida, Kimberly Durham and husband Gary of Waxahachie, Karen Thompson of Midlothian, son Gaylon Boyd and wife Rebecca of Sugarland, brother Bill Bratton and wife Marian of Cedar Park, sister Martha McCoy-Farmer of Gatesville, one niece and two nephews, 9 grandchildren, 15 great-grandchildren and a multitude of friends that he loved dearly.

Services will be held at 2:00 PM on Tuesday, April 5, 2016, at Waxahachie, Funeral Home. Visitation will be Monday, April 4th, from 6:00 to 8:00 PM, also at the funeral home, located at 1201 W. 287 By-Pass, Waxahachie, TX 75165.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to: Heart Association