General Boddie was born in Baltimore, Maryland on October 18, 1931. He received his BS degree from Howard Univ., Wash., D.C., in 1954, majoring in Chemistry and Zoology. He is a graduate of the Industrial College of the Armed Forces, the Air War College and Auburn Univ. where he earned a Master of Public Administration degree in 1975. He also completed the Senior Managers in Government Program at Harvard Univ., in 1981.
He was commissioned through the AFROTC program at Howard Univ., and completed single engine jet pilot training at Laredo AFB, TX, earning his wings in March 1956. He was then assigned to the 560th Strat Fighter Squadron at Bergstrom AFB, TX which was equipped with the F-84F. In Oct 1957, he completed F-100 training and was sent to the USAFE Weapons Center, Wheelus AB, Libya.
For the next 45 months, he was an instructor and flight test pilot in the T 33, F 86, F-100 and B-57. He returned to the AFROTC program in May 1961 as Commandant of Cadets at Tuskegee Institute. In June 1965, He joined the 4453rd CCTW Davis Monthan AFB, Tucson, Arizona, where he instructed in F 4s. The following year, he volunteered for combat and was assigned to the 559th Tactical Fighter Squadron, Cam Ranh Bay, RVN. He flew 201, F-4 combat missions including 57 missions over North Vietnam . He returned to Tucson in August 1967 and commanded the F-4 Weapons School until July 1971 when he was assigned to HQ AF Military Personnel Center as chief of the Flying Status Branch.
In 1975, he was sent to HQ TAC, Langley AFB, as chief of the Maintenance Stan Eval Division. In August 1976, he moved to the 347th TFW, Moody AFB, GA, as DC Ops. In June 1978, he became the 51st Comp Wing vice commander at Osan Air Base, The Republic of Korea, and took command in June 1979. He was assigned as deputy DCS operations, J3, OJCS in June 1980 and was assigned duties as the director for planning and resources, J4, in August 1982. He continued these duties until his retirement from active duty on 1 July 1983.
He became president of Texas Southern University from 2006-2008.
General Boddie flew over 5000 hours in jet fighter aircraft. His decorations and awards include the AF Distinguished Service Medal, Defense Superior Service Medal, the Legion of Merit, the DFC, the Meritorious Service Medal with two OLC, the Air Medal with 13 OLC, the AF Commendation Medal, the AF Outstanding Unit award Ribbon with three OLC and “V” device, the Combat Readiness Medal, the National Defense Service Medal with three service stars, the Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon, the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm and the Vietnam Campaign Medal.
Gen. Boddie served as Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Military Officers Assn. of America, Board of Directors for ESC, Inc., Aerix, Inc., and OTS, Inc.
Known by his friends as “Tim,” General Boddie and his wife of over 50 years, the former Mattye Byrd Dwiggins of Tuskegee, Alabama, were the parents of five sons: Roy (Shelia Dwiggins), William (Bill, Margaret Dwiggins), Horace(deceased), Roy, William, Tim, III (deceased) and Ben; three grandsons: Roy Dwiggins, Jr., Timothy Dwiggins and Austin Dwiggins; one granddaughter: Alexandria (Lexie) Dwiggins; two sisters: Marcia Cummings(deceased), and Dr. Vashti O. Roberts(deceased); one brother, Dr. William L. Boddie; and a host of other relatives and dear friends.
He resided in Plano, Texas and was a life member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. The Daedalians, Inc., American Legion, MOAA, MOWW, VFW, and Tuskegee Airman, Inc. Gen. Boddie was in the process of writing his life story when he passed away. The family would like to finish this goal for him. If you have any stories of his friendship with Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., his days as one of the first black generals, were impacted by him in any way, or have a notable memory, please send a note to genboddiestories@gmail.com.
A funeral was held on January 17th at Ted Dickey West Funeral Home. Please go to teddickeywestfuneral.com to view a livestream of the funeral. A military chapel service was scheduled for June 24 at Arlington National Cemetery.