BOYER, WILLIS BOOTH (3 Feb. 1915-31 Jan. 1974), Board chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Republic Steel and civic leader, Boyer was born in Pittsburgh, the son of Pearce F. and Hester Booth Boyer. He graduated from Lafayette College and came to Cleveland in 1937 joining Republic Steel as a clerk in the cold strip mill. After holding various positions at the company, Boyer joined Republic's finance department serving as assistant treasurer, treasurer, and becoming Vice President and Treasurer like his father before him. By 1964, Boyer was Vice President of Finance and Administration and a member of the Board of Directors. He was made President in 1968, Chief Executive Officer in 1971, and was elected Chairman of the Board in May 1973. During his rise in the executive ranks, he completed the advanced management program at Harvard University.
Boyer also used his financial abilities as treasurer of the Welfare Federation and United Torch, and served on the Executive Committee of the GREATER CLEVELAND GROWTH ASSOCIATION. As trustee of UNIVERSITY HOSPITALS OF CLEVELAND, he was active in raising funds to further the patient care programs there and aided diverse local organizations including the Cleveland Development Foundation, Bluecoats, Inc. and the Educational TV Association.
Boyer died at age 58 in Cleveland. He was survived by his wife Esther Greenwood Boyer; sons Willis B. Jr., Jonathan Greenwood, and Paul Christopher; a sister, Hester B. Tucker (Mrs. Carl C.) and brother Pearce F. Jr. of Litchfield, Conn.