Kenneth Wayne "Kenny" Boatwright

OZARK…Mr. Kenneth Wayne “Kenny” Boatwright, a resident of Ozark, died early Wednesday afternoon, June 25, 2025, in Dale Medical Center. He was 73.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 A.M. Monday, June 30, 2025, in the Fuqua Bankston Funeral Home Chapel with his nephew, Nic Boatwright officiating. Burial will follow in Peniel Baptist Church Cemetery. Fuqua Bankston Funeral Home of Ozark is in charge of arrangements. The family will receive friends from 4:00 until 6:00 P.M. Sunday at the funeral home.

Mr. Boatwright was born on May 2, 1952, in the city of Gadsden, Alabama—a place that shaped much of his early life and gave him the foundation to grow into the man so many came to know and love. In 1980, he made the move to Ozark, where he built not just a home, but a life filled with purpose, hard work, and deep-rooted love for his family and community.

He graduated from Gadsden High School in 1970, proudly walking across that stage with a bright future ahead. Never one to shy away from learning or putting in the effort, he went on to earn a degree in Electronics from Wallace College. That education opened the doors to a long and steady career where he applied his skills with dedication and pride. Mr. Boatwright worked for many years at Acousti Engineering Company in Dothan as a Construction Superintendent, a job that matched his strong work ethic and natural ability to lead. He was known on the job site for being fair, steady, and someone others could always count on.

But beyond his work, what truly mattered most to him was his family. He was a proud and loving husband, father, and grandfather whose face lit up the moment he saw one of his grandkids run into the room. Whether he was quietly enjoying time at the lake with a fishing pole in hand or cheering on his beloved Alabama Crimson Tide, you could always count on him to be fully present in the moment—grateful for the simple pleasures and the people he shared them with.

Mr. Boatwright had a way of making those around him feel seen and valued. His gentle wisdom, kind heart, and quiet strength left a lasting imprint on everyone who had the privilege of knowing him.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Dorothy Simmons Boatwright Johnson and Ben Johnson. Though they left this world before him, their love and the values they instilled in him remained a guiding force in his life.

Surviving relatives include his wife of forty-four years, Shirley Smith Boatwright, Ozark; Sandy Renee Faulk (Rebecca), Ozark; son, Keith Robinette Faulk, Enterprise; sister, Debbie Sasser (Harvey), Ozark; brother, Dennis Boatwright (Lisa), Ozark; four grandchildren, Chris Watson (Ashley), Keith Watson, Cody Faulk (Amber), and Kyle Faulk; six great-grandchildren, Emilie Watson, Adelyn Watson, Brandon Watson, Jaylynn Faulk, Grayson Faulk, and Lacey Faulk; relatives from the Smith Family, sisters-in-law, Anne Heath and Debbie German, Memphis, Tennessee; brothers-in-law, Larry Smith (Ella), Jerry Allen Smith, all of Phenix City, and Billy Smith, Skipperville; nieces, nephews, Evan Murray, Cameron Sasser (Robin), T.J. Kennington (Laura), Nathan Sasser (Miranda), Kellie Olsen (Carey), Nic Boatwright (Barbara), Michael Boatwright (Danielle), Jimmy Bell and Toby Bell.

Serving as active pallbearers will be Chris Watson, Keith Watson, Jacob Parker, Tyler Bryant, Bailey Fann, and Cody Dawkins.