BOYD STEVENS 1951 - 1985 PILOT, DIRECTOR-FLIGHT OPERATIONS TRAINING DEN Boyd Stevens died December 22 from complications caused by pneumonia. I am just trying to get the word out to his Frontier buddies. The funeral is Wednesday the 27 of December......visitation from 12 to 2pm with a short graveside service. If you have any way of reaching Capt. Ev Aden or Capt. Dick Orr please let me know. -Dave Stevens (12/23/00) I'm sorry to hear the bad news. I don't have a contact for Ev or Dick, but I'm keying in all the pilot eddresses (blind:cc) I have to spread the word. Possibly one of them has a contact. I'll also post your notice at the online FL Club. Let me know any additional info you get or want to spread. -Jake Lamkins (12/23/00) Thanks for the news about Boyd. Very sorry to hear !!! -Ken Larison (12/23/00) Visitation will be December 27th from 12:00 to 2:00 P.M. at the Green Acres funeral home in Phoenix,then a short graveside service. In lieu of flowers please make a contribution to the Alzheimers Association. Thanks for anything you can do to spread the word........he had a lot of friends at Frontier.........whatever I can do, please let me know......(336)766-0180, -Dave Stevens (12/23/00) Sad news. Boyd Stevens died yesterday after a short bout with pneumonia. Services: Green Acres, at McKillips and Hayden. Viewing from 12 -1400. Grave service at 1400. -Billy Walker (12/23/00) Dave, I am in total shock of your Dad's passing. I had just learned he had slipped some and, in fact, saw a hint of it at our last meeting (which seems like just yesterday). Please pass along my heartfelt condolences to your sister and brother. I loved, and admired your Dad so much. He will always be one of my hero's. It seems impossible that things deteriorated with Boyd so fast. I am so sorry to learn of his passing. I will always remember him as a gentleman, a pilot extraordinare, a teacher, a boss, but mostly as a friend. David Hyde always called him "Boss," I always called him "Mr. Boyd," we all had a term of endearment for Boyd Stevens. I have attached a photo of us at a recent dinner party with Cheryl and me, Dave & Tomme Kaplan along with David and Sally Hyde. This was at Auntchilada's at the Point Hilton. He took us to your Prescott hide-out not so long ago, and we, as you know, went to several OX-5 and Silverwings National Conventions together. You know he was on the board of directors for both Silver Wings of Arizona and the OX-5 Aviation Pioneers Arizona. Of course we went to QB's together on many occasions, along with sharing the airplane cockpit and the simulator. One smile comes from remembering my flying your Dad and Mom in my hot air balloon (I sold the balloon, but kept the hot air) a few years ago. So many wonderful memories of a truly wonderful man and his remarkable lady. I hope he shared with you his teaching your Mom to fly when he was working for Mike and Martha Mitchell. I hope, as well, that you are comforted by the many great memories you have to draw from along with knowing he and Era are together again. That helps me a lot. Tailwinds Mr. Boyd, till we meet again... -Billy Walker (12/23/00) Do I understand Boyd has gone west? If so - this is the first I'm hearing about it. I've just returned from New York where I settled affairs with my late Aunt (I, being the Trustee of her will). I haven't spent much time on the computer to check e-mail, etc. Would appreciate any info, etc. -Ace Avakian (12/23/00) Thanks for the information. Ev Aden normally spends his winters in the Phoenix area as does Dick Orr. I have no contact on them for that area. I will spread the word to our Denver area pilots. Really sad - as they say, the leaves are falling. -Ace Avakian (12/24/00) Sorry to hear it. Where will the Services be held? -Dick Brice (12/24/00) With deep regret, the Gone West of Capt. Boyd Stevens...December 22nd...of complications by pneumonia...services December 27th at Green Acres Mortuary on Hayden Road in Scottsdale, Arizona 1200 to 1400 local time , gravesite after. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Alzheimers Association. Please pass this info to others that may not have computer access. Regretfully, -Ace Avakian (12/24/00) Today I pick up David Hyde who is coming for Boyd's services tomorrow. Also, Don Miracle's father died the same day as Boyd and his services are at the sam place an hour earlier. The leaves are falling... -Billy Walker (12/26/00) Thanks for the update on Boyd. He was a great guy. He will be missed. Ernie Lingren (12/26/00) I will be going to Boyd's services tomorrow. In fact, David Hyde (who's photo was initially substituted for Boyd's) is coming in today from Seattle to stay overnight for the next day services. Here is a shot of Boyd, my Mom and I at a recent Silver Wings gathering in Atlanta. My Mom was the first woman to learn to fly in Wyoming in the 30's. I will send you something tomorrow. Stay bundled up and drive careful on the black ice. Tailwinds... -Billy Walker (12/26/00) Here is a photo of the FAL pilots at Boyd's funeral. Don Miracle was there but got away before we all lined up for a shot from David Hyde's digital camera. From the left: David Hyde, Billy Walker, Frank Meyer, Warren Heckman, Tom Bailey, Ron Rosenhahn, Dave Kaplan, Norm Sexton. Kneeling: Ray Woodson and Walker Ross. Note: Frank Meyer, ex-USAF pilot, was one of the finest instructors we ever had at FAL. He was made an honorary Frontier Pilot back in 1985 or 86. A lot of our phenomenal safety record could be attributed to our training department and the instructors. Boyd, as instructor and Director of Training, was the best of the best and there were others too. Ron Rosenhahn, shown in the photo, was the Director of Training at the end of FAL. David Hyde is with Boeing as a test pilot on the B-777. I am a check pilot with jetBlue, Frank is retired in Oklahoma, Warren is retired from instructing at AWA, Tom Bailey is with the FAA in PHX, Rosey is with the FAA in Scottsdale, Dave Kaplan is retired from CAL in Carefree and just bought a Russian Yak 52 to fly, Norm retired from AWA as an instructor, Woody is still an instructor/check airman with AWA on the B-737, and Walker Ross is a captain on a B-747 with JAL based in Hawaii. -Billy Walker (12/29/00) Just a note to let yall know I finished Boyd's webpage today. It's at http://FAL-1.tripod.com/Boyd_Stevens.html Please let me know of any comments and/or info you'd like me to add. -Jake Lamkins (1/11/01) Thanks, TERRIFIC! Boyd would be very humbled by this... Tailwinds... -Billy Walker (1/11/01) You are very gifted, in what you do, and I want to thank you for all of the work and talent that you give to all of us, and to our FAL Family. I too, thought that Boyd Stevens was just one of the Greatest Gentlemen that I have ever known. He too, touched my life in many ways, and was one of the two first FAL people that I met during the merge. Naturally, that was a great influence on me as to my future with my career and my first impression was to be reassured during my lifetime love of flying. He was at the top of my list, as a great Gentleman as well as a great Pilot. He will surely be remembered, and certainly be missed. When Someone you Loved, becomes a Memory, that Memory Becomes a Treasure. -Bill Blackmon (1/11/01) You surely do a good job for ex-FAL folks. I am sure we ALL appreciate it. Some of the photos here are very revealing. Boyd never did change much in his looks. The rest all have. I wouldn't recognize any of them but Billy Walker. Old age isn't fun. They say Time heals everything but it is a LOUSY beautician. Boyd will be missed. Again I do appreciate this. Very Warm Regards -EP Lietz (1/12/01) Posted at FL Club Pilot or agent's cap also for sale at ebay. The seller says it's a captain's cap but it doesn't look like one to me. Has name W.B. Stevens and date of 1961 in band. Could this be Boyd Stevens? Sale ends Sep. 9th. -JakeLamkins (9/3/01) To Peg Bradford, Ebay seller Subject: Question for seller -- Item #1186638508 I am curious as to how you ended up with Captain Boyd Steven's hat? I would like to get it to donate to the Museum of the Rockies in Denver where some Frontier memorabilia is located. -Billy Walker (FAL, Ret.) (9-3-01) Peg Bradford wrote: I bought it at a local "Box Lot" Auction. I do not know who Captain Boyd Stevens is, but I have a feeling Maybe I should. Please let me know I am curious, it seems you may think he is someone I should have heard of. -Peg (9-3-01) Re: Pilot or agent's cap also for sale at Ebay This looks like Boyd's hat to me! (William Boyd Stevens, seniority date 4-13-51 according to my seniority list originated by Betty, Ed's secretary). I also have the Pilot System Seniority List generated by Art Davis dated 9-5-78, cc to Hatfield, Lewis and Trimble. I have my Frontier stuff in boxes somewhere in the basement. When the base closed in June, 1979, I pretty much threw everything from my office (with the exception of 10 years worth of Flight Pay Sheets and 90 days of weather) into boxes and took it home with me pursuant to direct orders from my boss. There's no telling what is in those boxes. I was the one and only MKC - MCI Flt Ops Secretary. I miss everyone. -Arlene Hampton (9-04-01) Looks authentic to me. The pilot uniform was brown in 1961 and the scrambled eggs didn't come until later with the grey uniform. Probably is Boyd Stevens' old hat. -Frosty Frost (9-04-01) Re: Pilot or agent's cap: Hi Captain Frost-secretary of flt ops here. Miss you guys-I remember the hats when I started in 1971 that had the very subdued small leaf -- liked them alot---the other pilots with different airlines flying in/out MKC looked bloated with conceit next to those elegantly uniformed Frontier pilots-- I remember how gaudy you all thought the "new" blue uniforms were with their gold stripes and the big oak leaves on the hats. -Arlene Hampton (9-04-01) Hello Peg, I am a retired Frontier pilot. One of my most cherished mentor's was Captain W.B. "Boyd" Stevens. Not only do I, but everyone who had the pleasure of sharing the flight deck, or work with, or work for Boyd feels the same way. Sadly, Boyd flew West this past December 22nd. For many years Boyd was the Director of Taining for Frontier. Later, he became the Director of Training at America West Airlines. I had the great pleasure of working with Boyd at both places. I want his old hat to donate to the Museum of the Rockies in Denver where there is a growing collection of Frontier memorabilia. I will first offer it to his son Dave, a captain with USAirways. -Billy Walker" (9-5-01) Thank You For your reply. It sounds like Captain Boyd Stevens was a very special person as both a trainer and a Person. I do hope you win the bid on this hat. It sounds like you know where this hat belongs, and if you get it it won't just end up in someones collection, but in the place that it belongs, with his son or the Museum, either are fitting for a Man that earned this type of respect . -Peg Bradford (9/5/01) Boyd's cap went for $96.77 & was bought by Jim Baumann, a member of the FL Club but never an employee - just a fan who has a large FL collection. -Jake Lamkins (9-15-01) The cap referred to in Boyd's obituary is undoubtedly his. He was a very generous man. He gave me my flying instruction from beginning through commercial & instrument tickets for free. I'd pick up a Cessna at Falcon Field in Mesa, AZ & fly it to Sky Harbor in PHX, meet Boyd between trips, & he'd give me an hour of dual between trips. After his wife, Era, died, he had lunch a few times with my mother-in-law. I always thought the world of Boyd, & I'm still grateful for his gifts. -Larry Burson (1-17-02) This photo was taken at the Albuquerque old terminal in 1965. It shows all ABQ agents except Cliff Brown and includes the crew of this flight. Left to right: Al Horne (fueler), Al Ruoiz, Dave Spicher,Jim Hildebrand, Okey Willams, Jim Wilds, Tim Mulville, Bud Knudson (Mgr), Co-pilot Boyd Stevens, Dean Kirksey, Walt Albany, Bob Nelson, Jim MaGaha, Pauline Bach, Art Trevethec,Jopnh Kieth, Bob Flatten, Ted Pfau, Charley Carper (Asst Mgr.), Capt Andy Hoshock, and Wayman McElhaney I think this was one of the last DC-3 flights from the ABQ station when the Convair 340's went into service. -Mac McElhaney (1/18/05) Reminds me of first meeting Boyd Stevens. Like many others at FRONTIER I was called George thinking I was George Arwood & George was called Frank. One morning I was on my way to class & walking toward me was Boyd. He said ,"good morning George " & I replied, "good morning Chick". Boyd," I'm not Chick" of which I replied, "I know & I'm not George." We both had a good laugh & Boyd told this story quite often. I had the pleasure of working with both of these gentlemen & flying with them. Boyd was my flight instructor for my Type Ratings in the CV-580 & B-737. Been quite a while since I "talked" with you Jake. Thanks to you as well as Ace you do a teriffic job in your hard work of Keeping the FRONTIER SPIRIT ALIVE. -Frank MEYER (2/8/05) Boyd's seniority date was 4-13-51 per FL/ALPA seniority list dated 8/31/55. -Jake Lamkins (1/22/06) The photo of the 737 was taken by Clay Lacy from his LearJet as Boyd Stevens and Neil Benton flew past "Shiprock," a prominent monolith near Farmington, NM. Those were the days. Boyd was my boss at America West and one of the finest individuals I've ever known. -Billy Walker (7/5/14) W B STEVENS DEN copilot per the Nov 1955 FL Roster. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- W B STEVENS PHX captain DOB 2/4/22 DOH 4/13/51 per the Feb 1960 FL Roster. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- W B STEVENS DEN director-flight operations training per the Nov 1977 through Jan 1982 FL telephone books. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- W B STEVENS Retired 2/4/82 from flight status per the FL/ALPA Roster. The Jan 1983 FL telephone book shows him at DENHC but no title given. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- W B STEVENS Emp#08140, DENHC Address in Denver CO per the Nov 19084 FL Roster. He's listed on the Aug 1990 FL Roster with an address in Scottsdale AZ. -Jake Lamkins (4/18/16) Email to Billy Walker: I'm updating Boyd Steven's memorial webpage and need to find out when he retired. He reached age 60 on 2/4/82 and the ALPA Roster shows him retired from flight status then. However the FL Jan 1983 telephone directory and the Dec 1984 FL Roster show him still with the company at DEN HC. I don't recognize the department HC and there is no title given. Do you recall his status after he reached age 60? Thanks, -Jake Lamkins Boyd worked for one of Frontier Holding's company's. I can't remember the name, "something services" but the 580's went there where Boyd and several others trained the new owners. When that went away, Boyd went to America West as the Director of Training. He hired me there in 1988. That was where he ended his professional career. -Billy Walker (4/17/16) Thanks for the info. My records show the last CV580 delivered to Metro Airlines 10/30/85 so I figure Boyd left about then. -Jake Lamkins (4/20/16) FLacebook - FL Club FLight West: Boyd Stevens DEN director-flight operations training Boyd Stevens' memorial webpage has been updated: http://FAL-1.tripod.com/Boyd_Stevens.html Several items added and webpage revised. -Jake Lamkins (4/20/16)