Ernest Earl Boyland

ERNEST EARL BOYLAND JR., 88, of Maumelle, Ark., went to be with the Lord on Thursday, Feb. 27, 2014. He was born on Sept. 10, 1925, in Mexia, Texas, to the late Ernest Boyland Sr., and Gladys Boyland. He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife of 67 years, Billie Jean Boyland; one son, Michael Boyland and one brother, Kenneth Oliver. He was a faithful member of The Summit Church and a devoted follower of Christ. He is survived by two sons, Steve Boyland (Gaynis) and Ken Boyland (Leslyn) of Maumelle; four grandchildren, Philip Boyland of Palm Desert, Calif., and Lucy Boyland, Landon Boyland and Layne Boyland, all of Maumelle. Ernest and Billie Jean Boyland both graduated from El Dorado High School in 1943 and were married that same year. He began his career working as a journeyman printer for various newspapers across the south and southwest. In 1955, he and his brother, Kenneth Oliver, bought and refurbished a concrete block manufacturing plant in Pine Bluff. They also had plants at El Dorado and Little Rock. The two brothers sold all three and, in 1976, decided to go into the packaged concrete business and acquired the Quikrete Manufacturing license for the state of Arkansas, opening a plant in North Little Rock. Ernest designed, built and patented one of the first semi-automatic bag palletizers, initially for use in his own bagging plants. He later formed Conveyco Inc. and built and sold semi-automatic palletizers, which are now in operation in factories across the United States. A memorial service will be held at The Summit Church, 6600 Crystal Hill Road, North Little Rock, Ark., on Wednesday, March 5 at 10 a.m. with Reverend Bill Elliff officiating. Arrangements are with Roller-Chenal Funeral Home, 13801 Chenal Parkway Little Rock, Ark. 72211 (501) 224-8300. Online guestbook: www.rollerfuneralhomes.com/chenal.