Judge Donald Boyd celebrated his retirement on Friday and swore Chief Probate Clerk Debbie Wade in as the new Troup County probate judge.

Boyd announced his planned retirement to the Troup County Board of Commissioners earlier this month along with a proposal that Wade, a longtime county employee take his position until the next election in 2020. Boyd ran unopposed in all but one election, and he said he feels that Wade will continue the work that he did while in office.

“It has always been open, and no one has ever had a problem getting to me to talk to me,” Boyd said. “That is what I think Mrs. Wade will continue to do. She has been with me the whole 18 years, and she was with the county before that. She knows everything that I know plus some. I’m sure the county will be in very good hands.”

Wade said she looks forward to continuing to help people through the difficult times that often come with visits to the probate office.

“I’ve been here 23 years, so I look forward to continuing like we always have, providing good customer service to the people and a loving environment when they’ve lost a family member,” Wade said.

Aug. 8 would have marked the 18 years of service as the probate judge for Boyd, who took the position to replace former Probate Court Judge Gwen Prescott. Prescott resigned in 1999 for health reasons, and Boyd finished Prescott’s term before being reelected to the office. Now, it is Wade’s turn.

“[It’s been] an adventure. We have a family atmosphere in our office,” Wade said.

“It has been a joy, and we’ll miss him.”

Boyd plans to spend a lot of time with his family and friends during his retirement.

“I plan to spend a lot of time with my wife and my grand-babies,” Boyd said.

“I’ve got seven grandchildren, and I’ll visit with all of them, and then I’m sure there will be plenty to do. I still play gospel music on the radio and TV, and I’m sure that I’ll still be talking to all my friends and helping when I can.”

Boyd sings gospel music with the Gospel Connection on WMGP radio station Magic 98.1 and on WJCN TV station channel 22 at 8 a.m. on Mondays.

He said that his health was one of the main reasons that he was stepping down.