BILL NEWNUM 1964 - 1986 STATION AGENT, STATION MANAGER OKC PHX SAN COS BOI My name is Bill Newnum and I was hired 7/1/64 by CN in OKC. When it became FL I transferred to PHX. I worked in PHX twice, OKC twice, SAN one summer after being cut out of PHX, COS and ended up as manager in BOI when we shut down. That was, and still is, the saddest day of my life. FL was the "BEST" and we had the best employees. I'm glad I have been able to keep in touch with several. It saddens me to read about friends in OKC PHX and BOI that I have worked with (and also pilots, FAs, mechanics, corporate and other departments) that have Gone West. I have so many Great memories of FL that it would take many pages to write about. I had wonderful friends, very happy times, a few sad times, and some rough times which included my summer in SAN. The station was great but I was cut out of PHX, away from my family, living in my camper in the employee parking lot next to the AA gates with APUs & engines running all night. The nearest restroom was in the terminal and my morning shower was down at a private marina at 4a.m. I wasn't a member or invited guest but got in with a key provided by my friend Loren Holmgren. All in all it was a great ride and I'm sad the industry doesn't come close to being the same now. I was hired by CO and sent to MFR as the manager there. Due to the state of CO for the next 8 or 9 years and station closures, we had to move several times. I have held manager's jobs in MFR, SFO, GJT, GSO, SDF and am now winding down my career as Manager in LFT. It has been tough at CO but my feelings are that the FL employees that CO brought on board played a major role in making CO one of the best in the industry. Next July 1st will be my 40th year anniversary in this industry and I still enjoy being around airplanes. One of my sons has his commercial pilot's license from Embry Riddle but decided he didn't want to fly for the airlines the way it is now days. I'm looking forward to getting back in touch with old friends and hearing what is going on with them. -Bill Newnum, Lafayette LA P.S. It was the summer of 85. Sorry to hear about the ALEA, it was a union that wasn't big business it was for the employees. (7/21/03) I really enjoy reading about the people that ran a "real airline. Today's airline business is such a disappointment the way we have to do it. I just completed 41 years July 1st in the business with FL & CO. Sure miss the good days at FL. -Bill Newnum, Lafayette LA (8/3/05) I had both knees replaced and am recovering okay. 4 - 5 weeks recovery. They got to hurting so bad I had to do it. Too much crawling around the belly of those MD-80s. I'm still working at CO and moved to SDF because we'll probably retire in this area. Thanks for all you do. -Bill Newnum (8/5/06) Letter: Dear Jake, I need to give you my address change. I retired from the airlines business after 42 years and 4 months. I went to work for Central Airlines July 1, 1964 in OKC and retired November 1st, 2006. I met and worked with some really GREAT people over the years with Central, Frontier and went with Continental as did a bunch of us when Frontier was forced out of business. I was very proud of Frontier and think that the Frontier folks, that obviously knew how to run a good airline, were very instrumental in Continental's turnaround. We have moved into our final home. Since I'm not working for an airline and not in management anymore, we won't have to move anymore. I took off for about 6 months after retirement and went nuts so I'm working part time at Home Depot - mainly for the insurance benefits. I do miss the airport and working around airplanes very much. I just finished going thru all my old copies of the Frontier News and reading what all my old friends have written in and am sad about the ones who have Gone West. Thank you Jake for doing this newsletter, it's very valuable to us all. I didn't get the Spring issue, probably because it didn't get forwarded. I don't know where I'm at on my subscription so here is a check for 2 more years just in case. Thanks so much, Bill Newnum (6/27/07) Note with newsletter subscription renewal: Jake, Sorry about losing track of this, hope I didn't miss the summer issue. I've had a bout with gall bladder cancer and my mom passed 2 weeks ago and things have been crazy for awhile. Thanks, Bill (7/3/09) I had cancer of the gall bladder 5 years ago and they caught that early but it damaged the liver and it has detererated ever since then and about 3 months ago my Son in North Carolina checked me out of the hospital in Louisville and moved me in with him so I could get on a waiting list for a liver transplant at Duke Medical Center, Liver Transplant Clinic/Hospital. They are supposed to be one of the best in the country and with all the test and counseling and the test they will run on the prospective doner is a long list but it is moving along. I am optimistic about my chances since they have 92% sucess rate. Anyway I miss not getting my Frontier News and appreciate you keeping it going....Thanks. -Bill Newnum (4/20/12) FLacebook Bill Newnum Thanks for every ones Prayers, concerns, I feel like I'm in good hands again at Duke. My Dr spent around an hour discussing my condition, options and the fact that the Brain Trust at Duke will be discussing my issues all day Tues with my options. I just feel good about being In the hands of the Staff at Duke. Again Thanks to all of you that helped and prayed for me. I appreciate it very much!!!!!!! (10/24/13) Card to Bill: Hey Bill, The whole FLamily is rooting for your quick and full recovery. Hang in there and never give up. You are in our hearts and thoughts. Jake (10/24/13) Rick Newnum at FLacebook It's with a heavy heart that I let everyone know that Dad passed away this morning. It has been my privilege to get to spend this time with my dad. Thank you to my wife Gina and my girls for loving him. We have had great support from friends and family..... Angie, Thanks for all the trips you made. (3/24/14) FLacebook - FL Club BOI station manager Bill Newnum flew west this morning per a Facebook posting by his son. Bill started as an OKC station agent in 1964 and also worked in PHX SAN COS BOI. -Jake Lamkins (3/24/14) Rick Newnum added 2 new photos of Bill Newnum. First, thank you to the many Frontier, Continental, and Home Depot people that have posted about dad. It means so much to my family. These two pictures meant everything to dad. I grew up dreaming of Frontier Convair 580's (the Crescent Moon paint scheme)! I spent many a night in and around Stapleton as a kid flying standby... and loved it! Thanks for the memories! Also, I love reading the Frontier newsletter dad got. (3/24/14) Angie Van Buskirk I am Bill's daughter and I just want to thank you. Seeing his ol'friends from work comment is so special to us all. He truly loved his career. I loved your comment about him flying west. It made me smile through my tears. Thank you. (3/24/14) Jake Lamkins Your dad and I have emailed back and forth since 2003 so I knew of his health problems. He was a terrific guy! I will be building him a memorial webpage and it will be posted on the Frontier website at http://OldFrontierAirlines.com You can take a look at the other memorial postings to see what his will look like. Old Frontier Airlines www.oldfrontierairlines.com (3/24/14) FLacebook - FL Club BOI station manager Bill Newnum's memorial webpage is posted. http://FAL-1.tripod.com/Bill_Newnum.html -Jake Lamkins (4/5/14) Mr. Lamkins, I can't find the words. I know you do a lot of these..... but thank you. I truly thank you. The condolences from all of his co workers has really said a lot. More than you could know. And the time you put into this, for my Dad, and everyone, is so special. Thank you for that. God bless you. -Angie Van Buskirk (4/5/14) Thank you for those kind words. You have filled my heart. -Jake Lamkins (4/6/14) Missing my Dad, Bill Newnum, a great deal... Thank you Mr. Lamkins for honoring him. -Rick Newnum (4/6/14) Jake, I sincerely wish I knew you personally, what a super neat guy you obviously are. I was married to Bill Newnum for 42 years, but know "of and about" so many wonderful people from FL because of his involvement. Our son Rick enjoys this site immensely. Thanks for all your diligent, hard work on the behalf of FL!! -Karen Kay Barber Blackburn (1/27/16) Thanks for the kind words. Bill was a terrific guy. Put Old Frontier Airlines in the Facebook search and come join us. http://FAL-1.tripod.com/Bill_Newnum.html (1/27/16) FLacebook post on May 12, 2019 re Nov 1977 Frontier logo change announcement: Rick Newnum I was 7 years old at the time of the color scheme change. My dad was a proud Frontier Airlines employee. OKC, PHX, BOI... Just to name a few. You are missed Bill Newnum. Jake Lamkins Posted Bill's memorial webpage at http://FAL-1.tripod.com/Bill_Newnum.html Linda Hamala I worked with you Dad in PHX - he was a great guy. Joe Barker I went to quite a few manager meetings in DEN with your dad when he was in BOI. A great man and I enjoyed working with him as a fellow manager. Cyndy Camomile I worked with him, also, in Phoenix. There was no greater human being than Bill...such a good friend - forever miss him and he loved his children sooo much!! (5/15/19)