Johnny Lee Boice, 71, of 310 W. Main St., Warsaw, died Dec. 13, 2010, in his residence.
He was born March 20, 1939, to Kenneth E. and Martha V. Lee Boice.
He was a 1957 Warsaw High School graduate. He excelled as a musician throughout his life. His instrument of choice was trombone, but he was skilled in other instruments including steel guitar.
After graduating from high school, he played in Warsaw with Hal Kratzsch (Four Freshman) and other local groups. He enlisted in the U.S. Air Force serving as a bandsman in the U.S. Air Force Band from 1961-65. Not only was it a marching band, they played for military dances.
After his tour of duty, he made his home in Las Vegas, where he played trombone in show bands behind many famous singers. Later, he held the jazz trombone chair in the powerful Buddy Rich Band (for four years), Las Vegas Jazz Band on the Jerry Lewis Telethon, Tom Jones and Frank Sinatra. He was a featured composer/soloist performing on records and television. He later was invited to join the Ray Charles Orchestra.
He later went on seven world tours with Charles throughout the U.S. and Europe for a period of seven years with summer months at home in Las Vegas. Composition and arrangement of tunes for jazz bands have always been a Boice specialty. He continued to contribute his talents to the industry after his retirement in Warsaw. Having formerly done his writing with pen and lined staff paper, he mastered music composition software and his computer and had emailed his latest work to several active bandleaders who have been using them in live performance and recording. His music talent will be missed by many.
Surviving are his stepbrother, JR Hoagland, Warsaw; and many close friends, Dave Essig, David Besson and Doug Kehler. He was preceded in death by his parents.
A private burial will be at Oakwood Cemetery, Warsaw.
McHatton-Sadler Funeral Chapel, Warsaw, is honored to be in charge of the arrangements.
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Condolences may be sent via mchattonsadlerfuneralchapels.com
