Obituaries
Boyd Albert Shumway

A viewing for Boyd Albert Shumway was held Feb. 20 at Norvel Owens Mortuary. Interment followed in Winslow Cemetery on Feb. 21.

Boyd lost his battle with numerous maladies and age. He died on Feb. 16 at the age of 88.

Boyd was born a fourth generation Arizonan on July 12, 1917 in Shumway. 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 the Arizona State Teachers College (now ASU).

After graduation he taught school and coached basketball in Clarkdale. 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 Nov. 16, 1942 they were married in Chicago Heights Ill.

On Nov. 17, the day after his marriage to Betty, he was called to active duty as an aviation cadet. He was assigned with the 10 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-old 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.

Survivors include his brother Duane Shumway (Margarette); sister Glenna English; children Boyd Robert "Bob" Shumway (Claribol), Karin Elizabeth Gilbert (Ron) and William "Bill" Widen Shumway (Nelda); grandchildren Ethan, Isaac, Will, Michael, Amy, Clayton, Michelle and Joshua; 11 great-grandchildren; and many nieces, nephews and dear friends.

He was proceeded in death by his wife, Betty; one brother, Bob Shumway; and one sister, Mayola Cardon.

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