Bruce Lorance Loyd

Bruce “Big Time” Lorance Loyd passed away peacefully on July 26, 2025 surrounded by the love of his family.

The only son of Mary Blanche Huckabee Loyd and G. B. Loyd, Bruce was born in Arcadia, South Carolina on July 15, 1946. He was a member of the last graduating class of Fairforest High School in 1964. At Fairforest he met the love of his life, Sandra Jean Gwinn, and they were married on February 18th, 1967.

Bruce enjoyed a 51-year career in engineering as a structural designer, working for J.E. Sirrine, Lockwood Greene and Jacobs Engineering among other firms. Bruce was great with his hands and could build just about anything. He even designed and built three of his family’s personal residences through the years along with much of their furniture.

Bruce was also a craftsman and an artist. He was a skilled leatherworker, carpenter, drawer and painter. His most recent projects were the custom birdhouses that he made for family and friends. If you were lucky enough to receive one, you know just how much love and attention to detail went into each one. He also loved music and enjoyed playing drums and guitar.

An avid cyclist, Bruce logged thousands of miles across the southeast, the most grueling of which being the Assault on Mount Mitchell in 1984. He and Sandra also enjoyed a ten-day bike trip up the coast of Florida in 1985. Before he found cycling he was a runner and competed in several road races. Over the years he owned motorcycles, boats and jetskis, but his favorite hobby was golf. There were few places he was more content than on the course with his best friends and golf buddies, some of which he had played with regularly for decades.

Bruce had a quick wit and a big heart. To know the man was to love him, and he touched the lives of so many through his generosity and willingness to listen and offer encouragement. His faith meant everything to him, and he was not afraid to lead by example. Anyone who knew him would agree that Bruce was a talker! He never met a stranger and he was one of the best storytellers ever. Examples of this can be found on the podcast he created a few years ago chronicling the many adventures of his childhood.

The love he had for his family was boundless. If he wasn’t building or repairing something for one of their homes, he was teaching them how to do it themselves. He adored his granddaughters and brought them so much joy with his “Poppa jokes” and antics. He never failed to provide for everyone in any way that he could, without asking for anything in return. The countless trips and experiences he planned have given his family amazing memories to last a lifetime.

Bruce was an active member of Southside Baptist Church where he enjoyed being Director of the Adult 6 Sunday School Class. He was previously a twenty-five-year member of Anderson Mill Road Baptist Church where he served as a deacon and set designer for the music and drama programs.

Bruce is survived by his wife, Sandra; daughter, Lori Lonon (Jason), and granddaughters, Abi and Emma, of Inman; and son, Bryan (Laura), of Tryon.

Visitation will be held on Wednesday, July 30th, 2025, between 12:00 and 1:30 PM at Southside Baptist Church with the funeral service to follow at 2:00 PM.

In memory of Bruce, contributions may be made to the Building and Grounds Improvement Fund of Southside Baptist Church, 316 South Church Street, Spartanburg, SC 29306.