Burton Wayne Boyce

Oct 8, 1967 -

Aug 22, 2025

Burton Wayne Boyce, 57, of Palmer, Alaska, passed away peacefully on Friday, Aug. 22, 2025.

Born in Anchorage, Alaska, on Oct. 8, 1967, to Andrea Eastman Lohman and Jerry Edwin Tobey, Burton spent his childhood in Anchorage before moving to Wasilla, Alaska, in 1985. He graduated from Wasilla High School in 1988. Soon after, he moved into Full Circle, a group home in Meadow Lakes, where he formed lifelong friendships and found his faith in Jesus Christ.

Over the years, Burton worked in several places, but his favorite job was as a bagger at Carrs in Wasilla. He took pride in carefully bagging groceries and helping customers, paving the way for future young adults with disabilities to be employed in roles beyond fast food—a contribution he was proud of.

Burton loved entertainment. He enjoyed WWF wrestling, classic musicals such as Grease and Dirty Dancing, and iconic franchises like Star Trek and Star Wars. His favorite TV character was "The Fonz" from Happy Days.

A natural athlete, Burton competed in the first-ever televised International Special Olympics in Indianapolis, Ind., in 1987. He also bowled in leagues, loved Jazzercise, weightlifting and swimming, attended two Seahawks games in Seattle, and even participated in the Mr. Alaska Bodybuilding Competition.

Burton is survived by his sisters, Patty Boyce and Kerry Tobey Ellis (Richard Ellis); nephew, Devyn Rowe (Racin Rowe); great-niece and nephew, Juniper and Maddox Rowe; nieces, Andrea Seidl (Josh Seidl) and Alyssa Warner; and great-nephews, Kaysen and Atlas Warner. He also leaves behind countless peers, friends and mentors in the special needs community. He was preceded in death by his parents, Jerry Edwin Tobey and Andrea Eastman Lohman.

Burton will be remembered for his humor, big personality, and the joy he brought to everyone around him. He had a signature flair for style—often wearing suit jackets and ties, showing off his tattoos and sometimes topping it off with a fedora. Proudly calling himself "a tough old man," he often reminded others with heartfelt sincerity, "I'll pray for you."

Funeral Service will be held on Sept. 15, 2025, at Legacy Funeral Home, Wasilla Heritage Chapel, 1015 S. Check Street in Wasilla, with Visitation at 11:30 a.m., and service at 12:30 p.m. Burial will follow at 3 p.m. at Angelus Memorial Park Cemetery, 440 E. Klatt Road in Anchorage.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Oct. 11, 2025, at Jalapenos in Eagle River, Alaska. For updates, please visit Burton's In Loving Memory of Burton Wayne Boyce Facebook page.