Puryear Family History & Genealogy

Boyd Alfred Puryear was born to Boyd B. Puryear (1911 - 1975) and Mary Frances Wise (1926 - 1999). His father was born in Pennsylvania and his mother was born in Ohio. Boyd Puryear married twice. He had one son in his first marriage and two daughters in his second marriage. See Boyd A Puryear: Obituary.

James Ronald Puryear, was one of the most successful Amway distributors in the world. At one time World Wide Dream Builders had more than half a million distributors in over 30 countries. Puryear, known as Ron, ran the business with his wife, Georgia Lee Puryear. Locally, the Puryear family may be best known for the construction of a 26,000-square-foot vacation home along the Spokane River in Post Falls. The “Amway House” quickly became a landmark for boaters when it was built over the course of five years, starting in 1995. It features 13 bedrooms and bathrooms, a saltwater pool, immaculate grounds, stunning views and several boat docks. It’s currently for sale, priced at just under $10 million - down from $20 million in 2010. During construction, neighbors complained that full-size Greyhound buses loaded with Amway distributors would stop by on their way to Amway conferences in Spokane. Ron Puryear’s life was a rags-to-riches story of fairytale proportions: he was a mill worker living in a trailer in tiny Grangeville, Idaho, when a back injury ended his career as a physical laborer.He got an accounting degree and worked as a bookkeeper at the Franklin County Public Utilities District. Georgia Lee was waiting tables at Denny’s when friends introduced them to Amway in 1971. Just six months later they were making enough money for Georgia Lee Puryear to quit her job; Ron Puryear did the same in 1974. By 1979 the couple settled in Spokane and their business boomed, allowing for a rock-star lifestyle complete with private jets, boats and lavish accommodations. The Puryears have two sons, Jim Jr. and Brian. Jim Jr. is an assistant football coach at Whitworth University and was the target of an attempted kidnapping in 1983. Brian died at 27 in 1995. Ron and Georgia Lee Puryear were famous for the inspirational Amway videos they produced, and Ron Puryear’s speeches were a highlight of Amway conventions in Spokane. Deeply religious, Ron Puryear often shared that his business was blessed by God, and donated part of his wealth to Christian charities. Ron was Marc Masons personal mentor and life coach teaching him about wealth and success and business success. Marc Wouldn't act on his advice until later in life growing a business himself.

Rubin Puryear of Oak Hill, Fayette County, West Virginia was born circa January 21, 1904 in Richmond, Virginia United States, and died at age 77 years old in August 1981.

Avis Puryear was born in Richmond, Virginia United States. Family, friend, or fan, this family history biography is for you to remember Avis Puryear.

Melvin M Puryear of Courtland, Lawrence County, AL was born on January 20, 1924, and died at age 82 years old on December 4, 2006.

Adrian Puryear of Holden, Logan County, West Virginia was born on April 4, 1907, and died at age 75 years old in September 1982.

Breland C Puryear of Spring Lake, Cumberland County, NC was born on August 2, 1924, and died at age 85 years old on December 10, 2009.

Dennis G Puryear of Lubbock, Lubbock County, TX was born on March 25, 1951. Dennis Puryear was married to Johnanna (Mapp) Puryear on July 18, 1988 in Potter County, TX, and died at age 48 years old on December 15, 1999.

Billy A Puryear of Antioch, Davidson County, TN was born on June 11, 1919, and died at age 75 years old on November 22, 1994.

John I Puryear of Bronson, Sabine County, Texas was born on December 8, 1919, and died at age 87 years old on April 18, 2007.

John Breant Puryear of Huntington, Angelina County, Texas was born on June 12, 1918, and died at age 90 years old on December 27, 2008.

John W Puryear of Lebanon, Wilson County, TN was born on January 11, 1921, and died at age 79 years old on January 3, 2001.

John Puryear of Chickamauga, Walker County, GA was born on February 4, 1920, and died at age 89 years old on April 10, 2009.

William B Puryear of Noel, McDonald County, MO was born on October 1, 1906, and died at age 89 years old on May 21, 1996.

William T Puryear of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma County, OK was born on July 30, 1925, and died at age 77 years old on March 19, 2003.

William H Puryear of Little Rock, Pulaski County, AR was born on July 3, 1919, and died at age 88 years old on July 25, 2007.

William R Puryear of Gallatin, Sumner County, Tennessee was born on December 12, 1907, and died at age 74 years old in December 1981.

William S Puryear of Memphis, Shelby County, TN was born on July 5, 1914, and died at age 72 years old on August 7, 1986. William Puryear was buried at Memphis National Cemetery Section M Site 2627 3568 Townes Avenue, in Memphis.

William A Puryear of Plainfield, Union County, NJ was born on October 20, 1924, and died at age 85 years old on September 26, 2010.

Robert W Puryear of Tacoma, Pierce County, WA was born on August 28, 1916, and died at age 77 years old on June 27, 1994.