Boyce Deitz, 74 of Sylva, passed away on Saturday, December 30, 2023. 

A full obituary will be here when available.

Boyce Deitz was inducted into the NCHSAA Hall of Fame earlier this year after a phenomenal career as a coach and athletic director at Swain County High School and then serving his community in many different political aspects after retirement. Deitz served as Head Football Coach and Athletic Director for the Maroon Devils, compiling a 218-72-2 record in his football career. His record at Swain County alone was 201-58-1 including three 1A Football Championships and a 2A State Championship. 

He was chosen as the 1979 Coach of the Year, and the football field at Swain County has been named in his honor. Deitz served as a member of the NCADA Board of Directors and has served as an officer in that organization for three years. In his civic career, Deitz was instrumental in the construction of the Western NC Regional Livestock Center. He was also inducted into the Jackson County and Swain County Athletic Halls of Fame.