BILL KILIAN 1966 - 1976 STATION AGENT, SENIOR STATION AGENT DEN Bill was a station agent in DEN who was killed by a blast from a pistol in a duffle bag in the bagroom in 1976. After his death and much effort by many people, federal legislation was passed regulating the carriage of firearms in airline luggage. Bill was posthumously awarded the Air Line Employees Association's Award of Merit, his union's highest award. -Jake Lamkins (6/10/99) Hi Frank, I want to feature someone each issue from the obituary list like I did Ken Coggeshall. I was thinking of Bill Kilian for the next issue but I can't find much info on him. Do you have anything in your records that might help me feature him such as a photo, background info, etc.? Thanks again for your help, -Jake Lamkins (10/28/00) Let me look, I had a picture of Rep Schroeder and the DEN reps. and they presented Bill's boy a pen from President Carter when he signed it (Gun Bill for checked luggage) into law. -Frank Monheiser (10/29/00) Last night I looked and the only info I have on Bill Killian is the article from ALEA and a picture of Latino, Meade, Simpson, Gary Hart, Pat Schroder and Bill's son and if you want I can send it to in the mail. The article is the Airline Employee's protection act of 1980. -Frank Monheiser (10/30/00) Hey Frank, I have the article with Bill's son. I was hoping to find a pic of Bill. I did finally find Bill listed at the Social Security Death Index as Stephen. The attached news article from 1976 called him Stephen. Do you recall what year ALEA gave him the Award Of Merit? -Jake Lamkins (10/30/00) It was at the convention in 76 I believe, Ora would probably still have all his notes, sorry. -Frank Monheiser (10/31/00) According to the Social Security Death Index, STEPHEN KILIAN Born 10 Feb 1945 Died Nov 1976 Age 31 SSN issued in Colorado Bill & Stephen Kilian are the same. -Jake Lamkins (10/30/00) I found an article on Bill in the Jan/Feb 1977 FL NEWS. He was transferring luggage on Wednesday, Nov 24, 1976, when a .357 magnum revolver inside a duffel bag discharged. More info in the article which is posted on his webpage. -Jake Lamkins (8/24/04) Frank Monheiser sent the 1977 ALEA magazine excerpts about Bill. -Jake Lamkins (4/22/05) I was reading the Spring 2007 issue of the Frontier News and came upon the "Youngest Obituary List". Going down the roster, I saw the name of Bill Kilian who died in 1976. I remember that incident because Tom called me that night to tell me what happened. When Tom contacted me that evening, he was in a state of shock. He had been working the same flight as Bill. I can't recall if he was also near the carts or in the cargo pit, but he was within feet of Bill. With just a tiny tweak of Fate, that could have been Tom that took the hit, and we always thanked our lucky stars that it wasn't his time. I later asked Tom if any kind of criminal charges had been filed against the fool who had packed a loaded revolver in his luggage. Tom wasn't sure, but didn't think there was much they could do except haul him off the plane and interrogate him. We never heard anything further or perhaps don't remember it. Maybe you do. Of course now there is much more restriction on what can go in luggage but I'm still amazed at the piles of dangerous items regularly confiscated from check-in baggage. People just don't get it. -Yvonne Harding (5/2/07) It was our union, ALEA, that pushed hard for the law against loaded weapons in luggage. It was finally passed in 1980. As I recall, the fellow who had the gun in the luggage that killed Bill was an heir to the Maytag fortune. That's ironic since Bud Maytag owned FL before he bought National. I don't think there was a law to prosecute him and I don't know if Bill's widow filed a civil lawsuit. -Jake Lamkins (5/2/07) S W KILIAN Station agent seniority date of 5/6/66, emp# 04926, on the 1/1/74 FL/ALEA seniority list. Name Stephen William and called Bill. -Jake Lamkins (1/15/09) I still have dreams now and then of working on concourse "D". Can't help but remember when Bill Killian was killed in the bag room with a loaded gun in a bag. -Del Zimmerman (8/2/12) A day of great sadness and sorrow for sure. Remember it well. Awful day that will never be forgotten. -Ron Abfalter (8/2/12) Posted at FLacebook and the FL Club: DEN station agent Bill Kilian's memorial webpage has been updated. http://FAL-1.tripod.com/Bill_Kilian.html Four items added but still need a better photo of Bill. Tragically, he was killed in the DEN bagroom by a gun in checked luggage. -Jake Lamkins (10/20/12) I was there that day...in the pit of a 737 at D-4. Just heard a big pop when it went off. I heard that there were several other loaded guns in the bags too. I've always wondered what became of his family.....very sad day. -Gary Murrell (10/20/12) I think it was the day before Thanksgiving and remembered hearing it via the company 'y' message. -Chuck Tisckos (10/21/12) Yes, it was the day before Thanksgiving. -Jake Lamkins (10/21/12) I was working in the cockpit of a 737 at gate 6 that day. I heard a muffled pop and found out later what happened. The owner of the bag was brought down and said, "...dumb fool should not have dropped the bag." -Don Cecil (10/21/12 DENVER (AP) - The widow of a baggage handler who was killed when a loaded gun discharged inside a piece of luggage at Stapleton International Airport has filed a $2 million damage suit in Denver District Court. The suit by Joan Killian of Aurora alleges that the carelessness of Augustin Snow Hart caused the Nov. 24, 1976 death of her husband, Stephen W. Kilian, 31. Kilian, a Frontier Airlines employe, was shot to death as he handled a piece of luggage. An investigation showed that the piece of luggage, which belonged to Hart, contained two loaded weapons. Hart told investigators he was en route from his home in Omaha, Neb., to a hunting vacation in Montana when the accident occurred. The Denver district attorney's office determined there was no law under which Hart could be charged. -Colorado Springs Gazette-Telegraph, 6 February 1977 -http://www.newspapers.com/newspage/66396910/ (6/20/14) FLacebook - FL News FLight West: Bill Kilian DEN station agent Bill Kilian's memorial webpage has been updated at http://FAL-1.tripod.com/Bill_Kilian.html Seven items added but still need an obituary for Bill. He was killed in the DEN bagroom by a loaded gun in checked luggage: A tragedy that led to a federal law prohibiting the practice. -Jake Lamkins (2/6/17) Bill was well known to all the Denver line mechanics as he would spend some time with us in our ready room at the terminal. Our reaction to his death was shock and anger that some fool would put a loaded revolver, that had a known defect, in a duffel bag. Ruger Arms eventually added a device to prevent that type of accident. -Bob Baxter (2/6/17) That was right after I started with Frontier. Everybody was outraged then. -Henry Greathouse (2/6/17) I so remember that sad day. Bev Cummiskey called me to get Jack (Casey) out there right away. We went to the funeral. So tragic and caused by some rich a-hole. I think that day was the worst one. -Linda Hamala (2/6/17) Bill was not working flights that day, he was at T-point concourse A, where we transferred luggage from flt to flt I guess it's time to let you all know what happened, it's not easy to discuss this but it's time to let go. I was sup for FL and was working ramp that day. I heard an loud explosion & when I got there Bill was lying next to the pillar. Niles Keesey said John you do something when I got to him he just rolled over and that was it. I can't tell you what he looked like because it would not be fair to explain. Johnny Holland & I cleaned it all up and life went on I don't know from that time on, except, the guy whom had the .357 in the bag was a son of a big milling co. Don't know what Bill's wife reconciled for but it was not enough. I still have my good days & bad, life goes on but one of the worst days of my life was then. Those were the worst days, but they were the best of my entire life, May his soul Rest In Peace. -John Salas (2/7/17) I will never forget that day either. The passenger was out of Omaha and I had taken a call from the agent checking him in regarding the process of checking firearms. (I worked in reservations). Such a senseless loss of life. -Sandra Crouthamel (2/7/17) Was outside the bag room when it happen. When the owner of the bag came down, many were going to take his head off from the comment he made to the police. Was a terrible day. -Pat Kern (2/7/17) FLacebook messenger Jeaneen Carver My name is Jeaneen Carver. I'm the daughterof Bill Kilian, Frontier Airlines. I go by Jeaneen Carver. (1/14/19) Hello Jeaneen, What a pleaure to hear from you. In case you don't know, we have a memorial webpage for your dad at http://FAL-1.tripod.com/Bill_Kilian.html How is the rest of your family? -Jake Lamkins (1/15/19) I didn't know about webpage till last night. I'm very happy to know my father is still being remembered. Thank you for that - did you know him? I was 11 when he passed. The only coworker I remember is Larry Middleton which we lost contact with not much after the death of my father. I believe it took a hard toll on him. The family is well my Mom still here but in nursing home. -Janeen Kilian Carter (1/15/19) I'm glad to hear your family is well. I haven't heard anything from Larry in a long time either. If you have anything you want to add to your dad's webpage, just let me know. A better photo of Bill would make a big difference if you have a favorite pic to share. We have a page at Facebook if you're interested with over 1,000 members. Quite a few would remember your dad. Just put Old Frontier Airlines in the Facebook search and come join us. Take care and thanks again for getting in touch. -Jake Lamkins (1/17/19) FLacebook Give a special welcome to Jeaneen Kilian Carver, the daughter of DEN station agent Bill Kilian who was killed by a loaded gun in checked luggage on Nov 24, 1976: A tragedy that led to Federal legislation. -Jake Lamkins (1/17/19) Thank you for accepting my request to your group. My father was a Frontier employee. His name was Bill Kilian, died on the job November 24, 1976. They named a law after him as the Kilian law. Proud to be a member! -Jeaneen Kilian Carver (1/17/19) I remember your Dad well. I think about him still. His tragic death marks the beginning of my gun control activism. Welcome to our group. It is a sadness I will not forget. He was a kind man and a good colleague. You had a wonderful Dad. -Sharon Trumble (1/17/19) Thank you so much; it's breathtaking to hear that he's remembered so well. I was only 11 when he passed - didn't know how much he was missed. -Jeaneen Kilian Carver (1/17/19) This is son Stephen Kilian, go by Steve. Thank you for the thoughts of my father. My father has been missed by so many - been gone longer then alive. Joan Kilian never remarried - did one hell of a job raising us. She is blind & lives in a nursing home by my job and me I told her the site you made. Thanks again. Spent a lot of years hating the man that caused that day. Still hate him - never understood how any one could be that dumb. Never owned a gun or cared for them. Back then they called me Little Bill, As I got older became Steve in the work world. Thank you so very much the work you did on the web site Shows a lot of history. -Steve Kilian (1/18/19) I remember Bill and the tragic day so well. He will never be forgotten by those of us that were there. -Bob Wear (1/21/19) Your father was one of the most easy people to get along with. I remember that day very well as I was also working nearby. To Niles Keesey & Rick Straily, we all never forget what happened that fateful day. For all my friends that were there @ t- point that day I would like to hear from you. I'm down in Kingwood Tx, please correspond. May his soul Rest In Peace. -John Salas (1/23/19) I worked with your Dad. He was a very nice man -Linda Hamala (1/23/19) This is great. I was too young to know or understand a lot. I just knew he was gone but he was a character. lol Use to make me go 4 wheeling with him. -Jeaneen Kilian Carver (1/23/19) Bill used to come to the mechanic's room, at the terminal, for coffee and conversation. He was greatly missed. -Bob Baxter (1/23/19) Bill and I used to carpool to work. I remember the accident very well. -Del Zimmerman (1/23/19) When your dad was murdered, like a lot of us..we thought it was equipment back firing. My FO pushed me onto our plane and told me not to look. Your father was a great person. -Pam Frank Corvelli (1/23/19) I like the history. You had a lot of love for Frontier, as my father did. Your web site has brought a family back together. Thank you so much! My dad's brother, sister, James, Terri; so nice having them in my life again. You gave Bill a gift! Thank you -Steve Kilian (1/24/19) Thank you for the kind words. It pleases me immensely that I could be of some help. -Jake Lamkins (1/24/19) FLacebook Postings Jake Lamkins NOV 24th in Frontier History 1976 Station agent Bill Kilian killed on DEN ramp by pistol in checked luggage. His death brought about a federal law in 1980 which banned loaded firearms in checked luggage. http://FAL-1.tripod.com/Bill_Kilian.html Carol Bartley Love to all of his Family Liz Gomez I remember that event! So sad! Lou Clark I remember that well also. So sad. Mary Herr I remember that. A soldier on my flight read the article in the inflight magazine and told me he had a loaded gun in his checked luggage. We took a delay while he went into cargo to find his own luggage. Donna Harrison I remember this sad day. Karen Davidsaver We were working the plane right next to him, we had just arrived in DEN, just like his plane. We heard the shot, horrible! Terry Thompson Jake, Thanks for posting this. Now I know the name of the guy, I remembered during the first of its kind encounter with a non-reving, armed, pilot. They were called Federal Flight Deck Officers- (FFDO). Initial FFDO guidance required non-reving FFDO's to check their gun in baggage. It also restricted them from unloading it. The rampies were refusing to check the loaded gun. The FFDO in his eagerness to get to work threatened us with Federal intervention. I invoked Bill Killian's death and gave the FFDO a choice to unload now or be left behind. He made his choice, the rampies grinned, we left without him. FFDO guidance was changed within a week allowing them to carry in the cabin in a “non-descript bag”. So, many years later, although I did not know his name at the time, I knew one of our own was the reason for no loaded guns in baggage. Thank You, Bill Killian. Janet Lancaster Keesey Nile was driving the tug. He would not leave the airport. I finally had to force him home Beverly Cummiskey A very sad day for ALL Jake Lamkins Several members of Bill's family are members of our group. I met his son in 1980 during a ceremony about the gun bill. ALEA was a driving force in getting the bill passed. Stephen Kilian Thanks to all that posted today Mynette McKamey I recall the incident. Such a sad and devastating time for us all. Jack McLaughlin Great guy! Very sad day. We did share a beer or two at the Flair! Pam Coffman Ellis A very sad memory. Steve Cosgrove Remember that day well. Karen Ward Berry I'm glad at least a law was changed! (11/24/20) Jimmy Webster I was on furlough as a pilot, and was working the ramp then... remember it well. Bill was one hell of a great person. God bless his family for their loss. (11/26/20) Bob Wear Such a sad day. I was telling my wife about this just a short time ago. We will never forget Bill. Stephen Kilian Happy Thanksgiving to all. Bill, Joan and Larry are all together - first time in a long time - in heaven. Ruth Pitts I remember him - I always teased him (11/26/20) FLacebook Beverly Olsen I knew Bill - he was a wonderful person Wally Reid I was in the boarding area directly above where Bill was killed. Someone came up and told us what had happened. I went down & could not believe what I was seeing. Royal Burt was our Station Manager & was there as well. The man that owned the bag & gun was brought down to see what had happened. His attitude was, oh well, s--t happens.. Burt had to be restrained from getting to him! Very sad day. Stephen Kilian At time of settlement he still had no remorse. The gun smith had more to say then Agusten Hart did. God bless all that were there - my father loved his job. My father would have been 76 this month - flew west 45 years ago Wally Reid Your Dad was a super nice guy. I wish you could have got to know him. He & I were good friends. We worked at old Frontier Airlines for many years. He never said a bad word about anyone. I did not know anyone that did not like or respect your Dad. Janet Lancaster Keesey My husband Nile was driving the tug to deliver the bags. He never got over being there. Wally Reid Thank you Janet. I do remember that about Nile. Stephen Kilian Thanks, my wishes are the same. I know John Salas is still having troubles over that day. (2/21/21) Janet Lancaster Keesey on FLacebook 11/20/21 The news of shooter at airport today sent chills down my back. Nile was on the tug where Bill was. He never got over it. Jake Lamkins I can only imagine how traumatic that was for all concerned. Bill's son is in our FLacebook group. http://FAL-1.tripod.com/Bill_Kilian.html Lance Ross I was just reminding a UA ops friend about the Stapleton incident. Sad day. Marcia Glasrud Crump Terrible! Jake Lamkins Nov 24 will mark 45 years since it happened. (11/21/21) Del Zimmerman I knew Bill well. We worked together and car pooled for a time. I happened to be off the day he died. In a way, I'm glad I wasn't there. Loren Holmgren I was in hospital in Topeka for surgery when a uncle came to visit me and told me of baggage handler for FAL died when a gun went off. I asked him who it was and he didn't know. For some reason l spoke of Bill and my uncle said that might have been the name in the paper & he went to gift shop and got a paper for me. It said Bill Killian. Strange. (11/25/21)