Henry (Boots) Raymond Llewellyn, aged 90, passed away peacefully on February 2, 2025, in Saint Louis, Missouri, where he lived and served since birth on February 20, 1934. Boots is now reunited with the love of his life, his wife of 68 years, Joan Lee (Doherty) Llewellyn, and his only daughter, Dorothy.
In Boots’ youth, he attended St Mark’s grade school in north St. Louis City. This is where he met some of his closest friends, including many Doherty’s, who led him to his soulmate, bride, and best friend, Joan Lee. Boots attended St Louis University High, class of 1951. He and his brother Joe were the 2nd generation of Llewellyn’s to attend SLUH, and followed by his 5 sons and 2 of his grandsons to round out 4 consecutive generations of Llewellyn’s at the U-High. Boots went on to play baseball at SLU and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree.
Boots entered the service in 1956 and served his country in the Army where he was a Morse Code Radio Operator. During his service, Boots played soccer overseas. He used that experience to teach his kids and grandkids to defend a corner kick with a tug on the back of the shorts or a quick scrape across the shin.
While serving his country, Boots and Joan Lee started their family at a fast pace having six kids in nine years. After his service in the US Army, Boots joined the St Louis Metropolitan Police Department (SLMPD). As a St Louis City policeman, Boots held many positions and ascended to the rank of Captain. When someone recognizes the name Llewellyn, the first question often will be, “was your dad a police officer” quickly followed by “was his name Boots”? The words offered by those that knew him are always with extreme respect and admiration. Many stories of his St Louis City police include days spent with his brother-in-law Colonel John Doherty, the many tough cases solved, walking the beat and even a baby delivery.
After 29 years, Captain Boots retired from SLMPD in 1988. Not being able to sit still, Boots accepted recruitment to join the Jefferson County Police Department. Boots was celebrated again when retiring from Jefferson County Police Department as a Captain after 6 years of service.
Boots’ had many athletic accomplishments, contributing to his knowledge and love of all sports. He was a southpaw first baseman that wowed fans with his stretch. You could always count on Boots to blast the long ball from the left side of the plate. Even playing fuzz ball in the backyard, his grandkids were amazed with his ability to hit the long ball. He always felt fortunate to have played Minor League baseball for Dubuque Packers and Holdrege White Sox in 1956. His love and knowledge of sports were immense, but most of all, he loved watching his children and grandchildren through the years. Since he never owned a computer or smart phone the question of the day from Boots was always “what sports are on tonight, what time and what channel?”
In a private ceremony, Boots’ remains will be buried at Calvary Cemetery, alongside Llewellyn family members including his beloved daughter, Dorothy Llewellyn, and his brother, Joseph (“Unc”) Llewellyn.
Boots is survived by sons Joseph (widower of Pamela Hill), Michael (Kim Lee), Nicholas (widower of Marjorie Morose), Matthew (Michelle Fogerty), and Thomas (Maureen Lee); grandchildren Kyle (April), Nicole (Ken) Nill, Brian, Andrea, Nicholas II, Ana, Matthew (Lindsay), Michael (Cori), Mary Beth, Abby, and Katie Llewellyn, and many great-grandchildren.
A Memorial Mass will be held March 8, 2025
St. Raymond – St. Elizabeth Maronite Catholic Church
1420 S. Sappington Rd. St. Louis MO 63126
Visitation from 9:00am – 10:00am followed by mass at 10:00am
Celebration of Life to follow.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Henry Llewellyn’s name to BackStoppers
Boots was a great co-worker at the Jefferson County Sheriffs Office. He brought a lot of experience with him and was quick to share his knowledge with those around him. He was both respected and admired by the entire department. I had the privilege of hiring him in and we quickly became friends. We had a lot of good times at office parties and conventions. I will truly miss his friend ship and mentorship he made me a better Sheriff and a better person. A slow hand salute my friend until we meet again. RIP and May God watch over your family.
My sincere condolences. My thoughts and are with the entire Llewellyn family. RIP
Although seldom working directly under him during my sixteen plus years on the police department, I had numerous interactions with Captain “Boots” Llewellyn. Whether discussing a case in the office or coming onto an incident on the “street”, “Boots” was always a positive leader. He looked at things through the street copper’s eyes and always gave sound advice and encouragement. Having John Doherty as a brother-in-law would have been tough for any one to distinguish him or herself, however Boots carved his own path and became an iconic figure on the Department!
I was fortunate to have shared many similarities with Captain Llewellyn , being a Catholic City kid, attending SLUH, and rearing a family in the Southside parish of OLS, but what I remember most was the loyalty he displayed to his family, the Department and to his community. May he rest peacefully for all eternity.
P.S. Hopefully, his “nightstick” is in a museum! It was one of the longest I’ve ever seen. It could have been a corkball bat!
Many new agents assigned to the St. Louis FBI Office were told to see Sgt. Boots at the old SLMPD Freight & Junk Squad and to ride with his detectives in order to get an overall feel for the city.
Knew Boots for many years and a finer officer and man would be hard to find.
Rest in peace dear friend.
Dutch Schultz ( FBI retired)
Loving condolences and prayers to the entire Llewellyn family from the entire Judge family. Your dad,Boots, and our dad, Larry Judge, shared years together in SLMPD. A lot of wisecracking, corny jokes, and mostly respect for each other marked their years together. Not sure if heaven is ready for this!!!! Prayers to you all.
My father Herman Ubben was his partner in St Louis City for years, he was the best partner he ever had. To this day my dad still tells story of their days in the bureau. Boots was close to our family that he was at my wedding reception in 1990, he even gave a speech at my father’s retirement ceremony. He will always be remembered.
My husband, Don Shea, knew Boots at SLUH. We met again at Our Lady of Sorrows where our children went to school with the Llewellyn’ kids. Many good memories of the OLS softball team and the many Friday night parties after ballgames. Joan Lee’s laugh is a happy memory. May they rest in peace.
Dear Matt, Nick, Tommy and all the Llewellyns,
My sincere condolences and prayers on the passing of a legend. My mom always tells the story about how our baseball team took at beating when we were second graders. Mr. Llewellyn was heard saying, “don’t worry boys, nobody’s perfect. Only one man was ever perfect and they put Him on a cross.” Your parents were larger than life. And I drove his old white Buick SUV for a few years after buying it from Tim L. Not the greatest car, but in my mind it was a bit of an honor to drive and it still had a St. Michael medal on the sun visor.
I knew of the Llewellyns early in life through my Irish immigrant grandparents who lived on St. Louis Ave. near Goodfellow. My grandparents were the McDonnells and they were friends with the Llewellyns, the Hacketts, the Donnellys and many more families of Irish descent. As a very young boy I actually attended the wedding reception for Boots and Joan Lee— idolizing Boots because he was a left-handed professional baseball player and I was a lefty too. Coming the full circle, I ended up in law enforcement as a federal prosecutor and came to know how tremendously well respected Boots was in all of law enforcement in our region. On top of that, I worked for many years with Nick, and later Tommy, as well. They are a tribute to Boots and to the family that Boots and Joan Lee raised. May Boots rest in peace.
Matt,
Greg and I didn’t have the pleasure of knowing your dad, but we do know that he raised a fine and honorable son. That says alot about his own character. Our prayers and deepest sympathy go out to you and your family. May you find comfort and peace in your many memories of a him and a life well-lived.
I met Boots when he came to the Sheriff’s Office as the Detective Bureau Commander. He taught me so much about the job during his years there. I will never forget his making of new cufflinks in his office and numerous other shaningans. He made work a pleasure, and I will never forget him and his yelling “hey Willy”. Rest in Peace, brother, we have the watch.