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Boyd Albert Shumway

Posted 2009-01-07 by Judy Wight Branson
The Arizona Republic, Phoenix, Arizona
Sunday, February 19, 2006

Boyd Albert Shumway has lost his battle with numerous maladies and age. He died on February 16, 2006 at the age of 88. Boyd was born a fourth generation Arizonan on July 12, 1917 in Shumway Arizona.

His parents May and Albert Shumway moved to Winslow in search of "depression relief" employment with the Santa Fe railroad.

Boyd attended Winslow High School and became a standout basketball player. This success as a hoop shooter earned him a full ride scholarship to Arizona State Teachers College (now ASU). After graduation he taught school and coached basketball in Clarkdale, Ariz.

WWII lured him to take the aviation cadet exams to become a pilot. While waiting for acceptance and assignment he hired out as a steam engine fireman on the Santa Fe.

It was at this time he met a wonderful Santa Fe Courier nurse named Elizabeth "Betty" Widen. On November 16, 1942 they were married in Chicago Heights Ill.

On November 17, the day after his marriage to Betty, he was called to active duty as an aviation cadet. He was assigned with the 14th Air Force, Flying Tigers in the China, India, Burma Theater. He flew 50 co-pilot and 50 pilot combat missions. He was awarded two Distinguished Flying Crosses, an Air Medal and a Chinese medal along with other awards. At the end of his tour he came back to Betty and met his nine month son for the first time. After the war he returned to civilian life in Winslow.

He and Ted Willey co-owned and operated (with help from Archie Meikle) a flying school at the Winslow airport. In 1949 and 1950 he returned to graduate school at ASU. The lure of higher wages, secure employment and the romance of the railroad called him back to Winslow to continue his career as a fireman and later as a locomotive engineer.

In 1968 and 1970 he was elected to serve two year terms in the Arizona State Legislature. Boyd was a Freethinker and will be remembered for his honesty, integrity, intellect, eccentricities, love of reading, being a good Democrat, his love of politics and most importantly by his unique and ever present sense of humor.

He was preceeded in death by his wife, Betty on August 31, 1995, and Brother Bob Shumway and Sister Mayola Cardon. Survivors include; brother Duane Shumway (Margarette); sister Glenna English; his children; Boyd Robert "Bob" Shumway (Claribel), Karin Elizabeth Gilbert (Ron), William "Bill" Widen Shumway (Nelda) and grandchildren; Ethan, Isaac, Will, Michael, Amy, Clayton, Michelle and Joshua. Eleven great grandchildren and many nieces nephews and dear friends.

A Last Respects viewing for Boyd will be held at Norvel Owens Mortuary from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. on Monday February 20th.

Burial will be the following day at Winslow Cemetery at 11:00 a.m.

Friends and family are invited to attend a celebration of life luncheon at the La Posada following internment.

Arrangements by Norvel Owens Mortuary, Winslow, Arizona.




Note: These obituaries are transcribed as published and are submitted by volunteers who have no connection to the families. They do not write the obituaries and have no further information other than what is posted within the obituaries. We do not do personal research. For this you would have to find a volunteer who does this or hire a professional researcher.

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