Former Inland Press Exec Director Boykin Killed Crossing Street

By: E&P Staff William G. Boykin, a former executive director for the Inland Press Association and several other state and regional newspaper associations, was killed last week crossing a street in Austin, Texas, Inland reported.

Boykin, known to colleagues as "Bill," was 84.

According to an account by Jessica Vess of KVUE-TV in Austin, Boykin -- who used a walker -- was crossing a North Austin road a little before 7 a.m. on Oct. 14 to catch a bus. While Boykin was in the middle of the intersection, the light turned green. A man, who was not identified, driving a small Honda and traveling at the posted speed limit of 40 miles per hour, hit the newsman.

Police said the driver likely did not see Boykin in the pre-dawn conditions. At last report, police said they were unlikely to charge the driver in the death.

Boykin served as executive director of Inland from 1974 until 1983. According to Inland?s account, Boykin began his career with newspaper associations at the Oklahoma Press Association after working several years as a newspaper reporter. He was executive director of the Texas Press Association, Florida Press Association, Allied Daily Newspapers, and the Newspaper Association Managers organization.