James Hislop Boyce

James Hislop “JB” Boyce, 79, died on August 27, 2026, in Arlington Heights, Illinois, United States.

Born on September 30, 1946, in Glasgow, Scotland . James carried a lively and distinctive path through life. He moved to Chicago during his early grammar school years and was raised in the Roscoe village neighborhood of Chicago. In his younger years, he was a drummer with the bands “Little Boy Blues” and later the “Midwest Angels,” a part of his life that reflected his lasting connection to music. In later years, he worked at UPS.

James was a free spirit whose interests remained close to the things he enjoyed most. He liked seeing live music, going to flea markets, watching Chicago Bears football and Glasgow rangers soccer games, and loved traveling to his property in Michigan's upper peninsula. He was an avid reader whose house was full of books! He was raised Presbyterian and enjoyed learning about other religions.

He is remembered by his sister, June Boyce; his daughter, Carina Boyce; his sons, Hamish Boyce and Ewan Boyce; his granddaughter, Maya Boyce; his grandson, Joshua Torres; and his son-in-law, Tony Torres. He was preceded in death by his father, James Boyce, and his mother, Cathy Boyce.

James Hislop “JB” Boyce will be remembered for the life he lived in his own way, shaped by music, work, family, and the interests that mattered to him. Those who knew him recall a man whose days held the rhythms of live performance, familiar pastimes, and time spent traveling. His memory remains with his family and with all who shared in his life.