BILL GUTHRIE 1957 - 1986 AIRCRAFT MECHANIC FTW, GSW, DEN, OMA, FSM, MKC, MCI, MEM, SLC FIRST COUSIN OF RADIO MECHANIC JACK CURTIS BILL J GUTHRIE 71 MURRAY UT BILL J GUTHRIE 71 SALT LAKE CITY UT -US Search (1/31/05) Email to Mark Guthrie: Hey Mark, You left a business card at the Air Museum near Fayetteville. I understand your dad worked for Frontier Airlines. I saw Paul Farris tonight who worked SLC and he recalls your dad. Did Frontier carry your dad as BJ Guthrie? If so, he has some ESOP money coming. Does Bill have an email address? We also have a newsletter and online club he might be interested in. Hope to hear from you. -Jake Lamkins (2/1/05) Just talked to dad. He said he probably has had 4 phone calls and a couple of letters about it ........ found out last week he thinks. Thanks for hollerin back. As I get older some of the names of folks I grew up around start to fade. Most of the stories I tell about them I just remember their idiosyncrasies,but the names escape me. Yours sounded familiar. I was raised on Frontier and am happy as hell they are doing good right now. If you noticed they seem to be about the same size now as they were when they started to really kick in years ago. They were a good company. Several years back I contacted Jon Bartram out of Denver and was looking to leave Mena airport and work for an airline. Frontier was of course my choice. I all but signed a letter of intent. The military unit I was in (Ft. Smith guard) called and said come to work full time and so that's where I ended up. Things got so hectic so fast that I never called Jon back. By the time 9/11 was a bit behind us and the world stopped flying by so fast it was late enough I figured he was pissed. So I didn't call him up. I've stayed in contact with a few former FAL guys and have always felt welcome to talk to them or visit. Everyone treats me just as good as if I were their real family. There was a guy in SLC named Dee Truscott......... bet I mispelled that............ that I called a couple of years back just to say hi...... remembered his name. My unit was there doing some exercising and my jet was going so so was I. We talked a little, so, here's this guy pushing 40 just about to retire from military and calling up his dad's friend and asking advice. How's that for extended family? Airline folks are different. So following family advice so to speak....... My wife and I opened our own computer company. Last December I retired. And now the weird news is the Ft. Smith airport is accepting bids for some computer network maintenance and I am about to put in a bid. It always returns..... Once airplanes are in your blood you'll never get them out. Not that anyone would want to. Sorry I seem to be so jabbery. It is just nice to talk to someone from the old Frontier. I will leave just one more quick statement and let you get on with more important stuff. Well maybe two. 1-Our computer company seems to be doing really well and during writing this I think I figured out why. We keep growing and sometimes it's faster than we are ready for but we keep hammering at it. Our biggest pet peeve so to speak is to treat every customer like they were our only one and do what's best for them ... always. It's kind of like the extra leg room there once was. (First class legroom at coach prices) It's amazing how much little stuff one can remember. If you always do what's right by your customer they will not forget. Most of our customers end up calling just to say hi or tell us things like I love my new plasma TV or thats the nicest computer I have ever had etc etc. Heck we even get folks calling up to say "Merry Christmas, was thinking about you." It has to be the environment you are raised in. Mine was always Frontier. 2-Didn't I say quick? sorry..... There was a story I read in a Frontier magazine years and years ago......... the gist of it was that flying is a big secret...... but not one you want to keep, one you just have no choice but to share. With everyone you can. So for as long as I can remember that's what I have been doing. It's a helluva secret and I think that may be what was what made Frontier so closely knit. Everybody knew the secret and wasn't afraid to share it. OK I will stop now ...... Didn't mean to steal that much of your time. I am going to go check the link and see what there is to see. I used to read the history back in the old days on the "green screen" computers in maintenance. I may or may not have anything to send to the webmaster. But I will dig up what I can. Thanks for writing back. Mark Guthrie PS Dad has never gotten on the internet yet, but I am still trying to fix that. If your newsletter is print let me know and I will give you his address. If not I will try to join so I can print it out and send it on. (2/8/05 Just a quick hello / jake may think that's impossible / Just wanted to introduce myself. Mark Guthrie, my father was a Frontier employee from the date when Central merged with Frontier in (1967). I am putting dates in ( ) because I am not sure......... My memory of history is fading fast. My Father's name is Billy Jack most knew him as Bill. Maintenance from (1958) at Central (1967) Frontier until the 1986 change of life as we all knew it. Western until they were eaten. Delta until he retired. I would guess that was 5 yrs ago.... maybe.... Before too long I will give everyone dates and locations on his career. He was always my biggest hero when I was growing up. Sometimes I wish I'd told him before I hit 30 plus. I think he needed to know that. He used to say that everyone beyond the immediate family, kids and wife that you are related to are not even close to the relationship you build with co-workers. They become a major part of your family and some even become closer than your own siblings. After spending over 8 hrs per day with those you work side by side with... they become as close as most families anyway. That's why we are really family. I'm just that long lost nephew for most. I was however very fortunate in that I had wonderful (some not quite so) role models growing up and going to work with my dad. So those that did know me nice to see you here and those that didn't "Hi nice to meet you". He is still alive and workin his butt off because he is retired. It gets busier......... So much for a short hello. I grew up in many different homes and knew alot of the employees kids. So all of them are my cousins I guess. Thanks for letting me into the family. And Jake, I told Dad to get some dates and a story together for me. There are things he'd like to say that I probably don't remember. mine would be stuff like this: Capt. nuts and bolts A man who always said "aint it" at the end of every sentence.long since forgotten his name....... the baggage handlers and ticket agents and cleaners and flight attendants and pilots and maintainers .. man we have got a huge family. so many stories.... As I can get them out of my head I will get them in here. Later I will be around. -Mark Guthrie (2/8/05) Hey Jake or anyone else listening.......... Dad now has internet. Can you believe this? Cool huh? He is wanting to get in touch with Ken so would you please email me the info and I am trying to get Dad signed in here. Sent him the links and such........ He should be in relatively soon -Mark Guthrie (2/6/06) My name is Bill Guthrie.I hired in with CN Feb 4,1957 at Meacham Field in FTW. I worked in A/C overhaul and line mtc at FTW,GSW,DEN,OMA,FSM (twice),MKC,MCI,MEM and SLC. I was in SLC at shutdown. Iwent to work for Western Airlines in 86 shortly before the Delta merger. I spent the last 12 yrs. of my very enjoyable airline career as a lead mechanic in Delta's SLC hub. I retired in Dec 1998. My wife and I retired to the country just outside the small town of Eastland,Texas. We are looking forward to our first trip to the FSM/FYV picnic in August. Hope to meet you there. I enjoy the Frontier news very much, as well as the web sites. I would like to know how to access the "Old FLolks home". Looking fwd to seeing you and many old friends in FSM. -Bill Guthrie (7/23/06) Hi Bill, Great hearing from you and knowing you're online. I'll send you an invite to the free online FL Club which has 640+ members of the FLamily. The FYV/FSM PIGnic is August 19 and I'm looking forward to re-newing our friendship. Go the the Reunions webpage for a map and directions to the reunion: http://fal-1.tripod.com/Reunion.html See you there. -Jake Lamkins (7/24/06) Bill Guthrie, a mechanic for Frontier from the time of the Central merger to the crash, has some interesting stories to tell. As his son I got to see some of them first hand and some I only heard about. I will be posting them here as many as he tells me as he tells me them. (or as I remember them) Here is installment number one. Short and sweet but some won't be so short. After showing up in SLC and meeting everyone, another mechanic comes up to him and asks him where he was stationed last. Dad responds "Memphis." "So, you are going to like it here except, maybe I should warn you, there are only two seasons here." Dad says, "what are they?" "Winter and July." -Mark Guthrie (1/13/07) Years back Dad had a great friend, some of you knew him. Bob Donley. (Bob and his wife died Mar 9, 1980, in a car wreck. http://FAL-1.tripod.com/Bob_Donley.html) Both of our families were very tight. Here's a little story about Bobby. Now remember this was a little guy barely over 100 pounds. In maintenance, as my father reminded me, no matter why the part isn't there it's always the "guy behind the window" who is at fault. They had a window with a stainless steel top and they always had to lock the door to keep "unauthorized personnel" out. Dad and Bobby were apparently in the stockroom. A big tall man who was always messin with Bobby comes up and asks for a part. Bobby tells him sorry we don't have one. The ole boy throws a fit and gets really irate. (big guy remember) "Boy if you unlocked that door I'd come back there and whip your ass." Bobby, gettin' tired of the abuse, had had quite enough. Meanwhile Dad hears a ruckus..... comes back around the corner to see Bobby and the big guy on the floor with Bobby on top of him tellin him, "if your lucky I'll unlock that door and let your ass out." I don't think Bobby ever had trouble from this guy after that.... I knew him as a sweet friendly member of the family. I remember when he and his wife died and it hurt just as if someone from my immediate family died. We all grew up together. Their kids and us. Every one of my sisters and my brother surely remember the Donleys. Until my father told me this story I didn't think Bob Donley had a mentality capable of being pushed beyond the breaking point. Just a friendly reminder to not mess with someone no matter how even keeled and mild mannered they are. Never mistake kindness for weakness. It got that ol' boy something he didn't want! -Mark Guthrie (1/14/07) Just over 50 years ago,(Feb 04,1957)Iworked my first day for Central airlines. I started as a stock clerk in the maintenance dept. at Meacham Field in Ft.Worth. I was soon very astute at knowing most all of the parts necessary to maintain a fleet of 9 douglas D.C.3s. Many new words were added to my vocabulary, along with many airline codes, to which I was a total stranger.ie. WDG (Enid Oklahoma) BVO (Bartlesville) and the ever popular SWI and SWO (Sherman,Texas and Stillwater, Oklahoma). I had lots of help from people like Bob Donley, Jack Curtis, Charlie Florin, and a lead mechanic, named Alden (Stormy) Sellers. I was probably the happiest guy on the planet. Making $1.24 per hour-great, My wife and I soon bought a home, a new 1958 Chevrolet, and for valentines day, 1958, a brand new baby girl. All this joy was short lived, in April, 1958, the airline was in a labor dispute with the I.A.M., of which I was a member, and it ended in a strike. Now bear in mind, the strike lasted only 8 days but after that there were interviews to determine if the company would allow us to come back to work. About 80% of us were fired, during what was a small depression in Ft.Worth. It just happened to coincide with General Dynamics laying off approximately 5,000 people. Needless to say, jobs of any kind were scarce, and I went back to Abilene, Tx, where I worked at many jobs - oil field roughneck - painter - carpenter - truck driver, just to mention a few. But after 6 1/2 years of the I.A.M.fighting all the way to the U.S.Supreme court, wisdom finally won ouy and we were re-called to our former positions, with full seniority. This was in the fall of 1964, and life went back to almost normal. In 1965, I went to mechanic, building maintenance. About 1967, after the Frontier merger, I moved to aircraft overhaul, at GSW airport. Until all the operations, with the exception of DAL line maint. at Love field moved to Stapleton airport in DEN -- first 10 or 11 years -- more to follow ------- -Bill Guthrie (2/20/07) Don't know how to tell y'all this but I lost my beautiful Sonja about 8:30 Wednesday night. I will try to mail Jake info by Friday. Earl if you will, let Kenny and Maryln know -Bill Guthrie (7/4/13) Dear Bill, I'm truly sorry to hear of your loss. May your good memories help you with your grief. In sympathy, -Jake Lamkins (7/4/13) Boy this is a hard one. We have lost Sam Warriner this morning. He is in Harris Hospital in FTW with a brain aneurism. They took him off life support this morning. I'll update as soon as I know anything more. My wife Joyce is in Methodist Hospital in Houston with an heart aneurism but with a more hopeful outlook. -Bill Guthrie (3/8/15) Hey Bill, My heart's aching for you. Bob Matlock phoned me earlier today for your phone number because he had heard about Sam. Damned if I don't have it. Let me know what your cell number is so I will have it if it ever happens again. Larry Curtis posted the sad news at Facebook too. Hang in there, Hope your wife gets well real fast. -Jake Lamkins (3/8/15) Hi Jake. Looks like I'll miss the pignic this year due to wife's Dr. Appt. tell the guys hi for me. Don't know where I stand on news letter subscription. Let me know and I'll mail you a check. Thanks, -Bill Guthrie (8/26/15) Hey Bill, Sorry we will miss you! Hope your wife is okay. Your sub to the FL News is good til Jan 2017. -Jake Lamkins (8/26/15) Hi Bill, Thank you for the packet of info about the strike. I've started a file about the matter and this was a welcome adition. I'm attaching a digital file of it for your records and an article from the Fall FL News on the same subject. Take care, -Jake Lamkins (9/29/15) Re: FRONTIER NEWS Jake Just got my copy. Thanks for all the kind words. Sometime I think I'm no help at all. Those 6 years were probably some of the worse in my life. I had just about ran out of luck when I got that letter to come back. I really appreciate all you do.and I enjoyed the article. It was an important period in Central's history. -Bill Guthrie (10/15/15) Bill, I'm glad you liked it and I appreciate all your help over the years. It's great that we were able to document this historic event. -Jake Lamkins (10/15/15) Bill is 82 today. -Jake Lamkins (10/25/15) FLacebook Bill Guthrie Fifty nine years ago today, Feb. 4,1957, I worked my first day for Central Airlines at Meacham Field in Fort Worth,Texas. $ 1.24 per hour ! I was one of the happiest people on the planet. Thanks Jack Curtis ! Paul Farris You were one of the best mechanics Central and Frontier had. I've seen you in action. (2/4/16) Bill is 83 today. -Jake (10/25/16) Jake: My wife passed away in Houston the last day of December so I moved back to my home in Eastland. -Bill Guthrie (2/1/17) Oh Bill, I am so sorry to hear this news. My heart goes out to you, my friend. -Jake Lamkins (2/2/17) Hi Jake. Just a personal note. Since the " almost passing out" episode I had at the Pignic, I've had one carotid artery surgery and a pacemaker installed. Having the other carotid done in a couple of days. They almost lost me but I'm hanging in for now. Sorry about the book. -Bill Guthrie (10/16/17) Hi Bill, Thanks for the info. I'm sorry to hear about your health problems. I've been worried since the episode at the PIGnic. Best wishes for a speedy and complete recovery. -Jake Lamkins (10/17/17) Bill is 84 today. -Jake Lamkins (10/25/17) Brady White left a voice mail and I called him back about 11 am. We chatted about 10 min and he was feeling pretty good. He turned 90 last March and had a great birthday party. He told me they would have a DFW maintenance reunion this fall and he had put Bill Guthrie in charge of it. He would be 2nd in command! More info later on details. He had heard nothing new on Rusty but will let me know if he does. -Jake Lamkins (7/9/18) Lost my bride Thursday. That's 3 in 6 years. I'm done. -Bill Guthrie (4/21/19) Bill phoned to let me know the DFW Mechanics Reunion was on: DFW MECHANICS REUNION Sat, Oct 26, 2019, 11am to 1pm Texas Pit BBQ 6680 Peden Road Eagle Mountain Lake Azle, TX Contacts: Bill Guthrie, 254-631-5699, bill_guth3@yahoo.com Brady White, 817-913-9313, ontopavia@aol.com (91 years old and still kicking!) We chatted awhile - 23 minutes. He told me Carl Simpson broke both legs sliding into base at a baseball game back in the 1970s. He knew Ken Schultz well and admired him. And he mentioned telling Don Kosmicki Polish jokes. He was busy as hell he said. -Jake Lamkins (9/17/19) Bill is 89 today. -Jake (10/25/22) Hang in there, Bill! Next year is the BIG one. -Jake Lamkins (10/28/22) Wendy Davis on FLacebook As many of you know, our sweet daddy has been struggling with his health for some time now. He passed away last night surrounded by family and lavished in love as he made his way home. Due to the holidays, there were limited dates and times available for services. We will have a simple graveside service on Saturday, December 23rd, 11:00 AM at the Potosi Cemetery. The address is 2782 Potosi Rd, Abilene Texas. Although Edwards Funeral Home in Eastland is directing the service, there will be no visitation at the funeral home. We are honoring Dad's decision to have a closed casket. He wanted everyone to remember him as when he was living. We will schedule a memorial service at a later date in Eastland. This will give family and friends time to plan for the celebration and the options to do either one or both. We appreciate all the love, support, and prayers! (12/21/23) Donna Powell Bronson December 21, 2023 at 8:25 AM I’m lost for words right now, but I’m glad you’re no longer sick and struggling to live. I know there is a beautiful reunion going on right now with all your loved ones including Mom. You are missed already and you were loved by so many! I love you Daddy, you can rest in peace now. Sharon Guthrie Kenneth on FLacebook Dec 23, 2023 Didn’t know any other way to let you know Bill Guthrie took his flight west. Dec. 20th. Kim Phelps Bradshaw So sorry. God bless his journey. Bill Buse I am very sorry to hear this. Prayers and condolences go out to his family and friends. Eric Mason So sorry. Love from your FLAMILY XOXO RIP Bill Trish Swanson-Hawk Sending prayers to his family and many friends. R.I.P. Bill. Jake Lamkins Bill was my friend for over half a century. They don't come any better! Dennis Lacy Sorry for your loss Jake. Dennis and Gloria. Bonnie Dahl God Bless you Bill. (12/23/23) Jake, I always love how careful you are when writing up Flown West posts. We buried Dad Saturday in Abilene - Potosi Cemetary. I wanted you to have a copy of the obituary that was written. Mark Guthrie (12/26/23) Thanks, Mark. I posted the weblink to Bill's obit at FLacebook. My condolences. He was a great guy! -Jake Lamkins (12/26/23) Cindy Wood This sweet, precious man went to Heaven on Dec 20. I will forever be grateful to Bill Guthrie. He brought so much joy to my mama’s life, and for mine and my family’s too. With Bill and my mother, life came full circle. They grew up in the Church of God. Life took them in other directions. After my sweet stepdad, Ben, went home to be with Jesus, Bill re-entered mama’s life and gave her a reason to smile and love again. I can never thank him enough for that. Although they were only married for seven short months before she passed away, they shared a love that could light up a room. Knowing and loving Bill lit up my life too and watching how he lived his to the fullest inspires me to do the same. I love you so much Bill. Thank you for sharing your life with us. (12/31/23) FLacebook FLIGHT WEST POSTED BILL GUTHRIE 1957 - 1986 AIRCRAFT MECHANIC FTW, GSW, DEN, OMA, FSM, MKC, MCI, MEM and SLC http://FAL-1.tripod.com/Bill_Guthrie.html Post your remembrances of him. Bill was a great guy and good friend for decades. -Jake Lamkins (1/4/24) Posted at Bill's Facebook page: All of Bill's many friends at the old Frontier Airlines are saddened to hear of his passing. Our condolences to his family. http://FAL-1.tripod.com/Bill_Guthrie.html -Jake Lamkins (1/4/24) Ron Blosch I just learned that Bill Guthrie has left us. If you wanna talk about someone that left footprints in my heart it was him. I saw it here on FB posted by Jake Lamkins and it really hit me!! "Billy Jack" is what we called him and he was one of the best people I got to spend time with in my life!!! Pam Coffman Ellis Praying for his family and friends. Trish Swanson-Hawk What a wonderful life he led, now he can entertain his ole friends in heaven. Sending prayers to his loving family and many friends. RIP. Steve Riddle RIP Bill. Dwayne Esau I didn’t work with him very long but really enjoyed knowing him. He was very enjoyable to be around. Fred Watson R.I.P Bill Karen Berry RIP Bill. I remember you as such a nice man. Carol Coombs Sorry to hear this. Sending prayers to his family! Ginger Treptow May Bill Rest in Eternal Peace and my condolences to his Family and friends! Jan Lefler R.I.P.Bill prayers for his family & friends. (1/4/24) Janice Gassett Started in 1957...wow, Amazing Frontier career. Rest in peace sir. Bonnie Dahl God Bless you Bill. Kayla Naima My condolences to his family. RIP Bill. Cherylann Morgan Such a good guy. RIP. Paul Farris I first met him in 1967 at MKC then again in FSM and and in SLC. What a great man! I enjoyed his love of country and his stories of people he had know. Lots of airline history also. Another great man gone! RIP my good friend. (1/5/24)