in answer to the question where was the first time I met Bill would probably in passing through a door CL 44 back in the middle 60s...  I would follow him in the ranks all the way through his progression into FedEx and then he disappeared for a few years only to emerge with his wonderful wife Agnes. He was an excellent human being. The pilots of flying Tigers owe him a considerable tribute for all the outstanding work he did in  union leadership and dealings with the company, especially in the trying moments of FedEx....  our present situation would not be the same without his efforts and for that we will always be thankful.  God rest Bill

Mr Bill was a great neighbor and friend to our family while we lived in Las Vegas. We enjoyed many Long conversation at his kitchen table. My three Boys enjoy Running to his House after school to have rootbeer floats.  Mr Bill was like a father and grandfather to us. Many times helping us through Crisis. Thank you Mr Bill for all the fun times and great memories. We wish we had more time with you. Rest in Peace my friend. We will always love you. 

I will always remember Bill with such a big heart. He was uncle Bill to my boys. He treated me and my boys not just family friend but a family. He 's memory will remain in our hearts.  Rest in peace Bill🙏. Deepest condolences Ate Agnes. Sending you prayers and alot of hugs of comfort.

Captain Mayfield played a pivotal role in the FTL family in the Las Vegas, NV area.  My late husband, Don, and I used to very much look forward to attending the Tiger breakfasts and catching up with Captain Mayfield and his lovely wife, Agnes.  I enjoyed observing the intellectual exchange/discussions between Bill and Don at those breakfasts.

My wholehearted condolences to Agnes and Captain Mayfield's family.  Captain Mayfield is greatly missed.  Thank you for great memories Bill! 

I am so sorry to hear of Bill’s passing. Chuck and I used to always gravitate toward Agnes and Bill at the reunions. Then Agnes and I what a bunch of other wives would take off and get into trouble.  (Remember the mimosas?)  Bill and Chuck are now flying with the Eagles.

Nancy Westcott

Bill was the most honorable and well respected fellow Pilot that I ever had the pleasure to fly and work with.  I salute your life.

Bill Mayfield - a consumate professional, a proud Marine , and a good and great friend to all Flying Tiger Pilots. His leadership as Chairman  of the Pilot’s Merger Committee positively impacted the careers of every Flying Tiger Pilot and he is held in the highest regard by those pilots. He will be greatly missed.  

I was sad when I heard the news of William's passing. I always enjoyed the friendly banter while flying with Bill. 

I was working on a MAC passenger flight with Captain Mayfield back in the late 80s. We were flying from Frankfurt to Philadelphia. Just barely through the halfway point a young pregnant woman came up to our galley to inquire about how much longer the flight was going to be because she had really bad backache. That rose immediate alarm bells for us because we were concerned she was starting her labor. Good fortune was upon us when we asked for help from a doctor on board who turned out to be an obstetrician. (!)  

After speaking with the young woman, the doctor had determined that she was, indeed, in labor. And wow, did it progress quickly! Within little or no time the young mother-to-be progressed into full labor. We vacated a row of soldiers to let her lay down, found a labor and delivery nurse on board 🤷🏼‍♀️ and notified Captain Mayfield that we were going to have to divert. A great many passengers were very annoyed that they probably weren’t going to make their connecting flight out of Philadelphia. But babies come when babies come. 

Captain Mayfield quickly diverted us into Gander, Newfoundland, where the aircraft was met with an ambulance. As soon as the aircraft was parked, Captain Mayfield ran down the stairs of the 747 announcing at the top of his lungs. We’re gonna have a baby! We’re gonna have a baby! 

The emergency personnel were able to safely stretcher her off the airplane. The young woman delivered a healthy baby girl in the ambulance just feet away from the 747. We were told the new mother was going to name her daughter Tiger. Captain Mayfield made the executive decision to donate all the proceeds from our liquor and headset sales to the young mother and her newborn daughter. It was a wonderful day. I was so excited and grateful our Captain Mayfield handled this unusual circumstance with such enthusiasm and grace. Rest in peace, Captain Mayfield.

My deepest condolences and sincere sympathy to Agnes and all Bill’s family. 

Bill will be missed very much by a lot of people. He was always there to help when needed. He did a lot of work for the pilots at FTL in several different positions serving on the merger committee and also on the retired pilots association. RIP my friend.  

Sorry I will miss Bill's celebration of life.  I am living on Yap Island in Micronesia and will not be able to make it. I flew with Bill a lot in Subic Bay back in the late 90's and we had a great time flying together and often bid lines together. I was able to fly with him on his final retirement flight - which was a flight from Subic Bay to Kuala Lumpur, spend the night and then deadheaded back to Subic - first class on Singapore Airlines, so he retired in style. Not only that, our flight was delayed so we missed the Twin Otter back to Subic and had to spend an extra night in Manila - so Bill's last flight got some pay at 150%.  If I remember right, Agnes came down to Manila to meet us and stayed with Bill at our Manila hotel and the next morning we all took the Twin Otter back to Subic Bay.  I remember Bill talking about his son Miles when we flew together and how he wished that he would be interested in flying - but at that time, like a lot of pilots' sons, he was not interested in pursuing an aviation career.  I remember how happy Bill was later in life when Miles got into aviation and started working as a pilot.  Bill will be missed! To me, a great Captain who taught me a lot about flying and about a career as a pilot - a pleasure to have dinner with on a layover and a privilege to have flown as his first officer.  

From all of your fellow Tiger/FedEx Pilots, 'Thank you for all of your years of dedication and sacrifice benefitting us all.' — with Captain William 'Bill' Mayfield

01/14/2026

A Tribute (Thank You) to/for Captain Bill Mayfield.

My sincere condolences.

May he rest in peace.

Kind regards,

Captain Rick D. Lucas-MacGibbon

My prayers and loving wishes to all the family. Bill was a great Captain at Tigers and I look back fondly to our time together on the Tiger Merger committee. God speed and Rest In Peace.