William Max Frost

Max, Billy Max, or Bill (depending on who you asked) was born on November 1, 1931 to Nell Marie Frost (nee Rollins) and William Wiechman in Cygnet, OH. He moved shortly thereafter to Huerfano County, CO with his mother, who taught in one-room school houses in and around Gardner. They ultimately settled in the tiny town of La Veta, CO to be close to his grandfather, William Rollins. In town, he loved to spend time with his school buddies, practice his driving on nearby pastures with crank-up tractors, and raise a little cowboy commotion wherever he could on his vintage motorcycles. After Bill graduated from La Veta High School in 1948, he worked briefly as an Auto Mechanic's Helper at Young Bros. Garage. He then traveled on an overnight bus to Denver to enlist in the US Navy, served in Korea, and upon his discharge in 1954, went on to Alamosa City College and subsequently the University of Colorado.

After graduating with a degree in both Math and Physics, he worked as an early expert in machine learning and advanced cryogenic engineering, publishing works for the National Bureau of Standards in Boulder. After being recruited by Douglas Aircraft in 1958, he moved to Los Angeles, kickstarting a 40-year career in Aerospace Engineering.

In 1964, Bill met Ellen Lichtenberg in West Los Angeles, CA. William and Ellen Lichtenberg Frost went on to marry and have two children, Leigh and Jana. They spent a few years in Huntsville Alabama, before settling in the San Fernando Valley, adjacent to LA, for 30 years. Every Summer without fail, the family would pile into their camper to drive back to La Veta, the childhood home he loved so very much.

Circa 1998, William retired and over the next 25 years spent time on his ranch in Paso Robles, CA. He built a home, fostered guide dog puppies, looked after his herd of longhorn cattle, fixed up various cars, tractors and motorcycles, and enjoyed wine from the beautiful local vineyards with family and friends. He never forgot a face and left an impression on everyone he knew, with his zest for life and infectious smile.

Bill was predeceased in La Veta by William Rollins and Nell Frost. He is survived by his wife, Ellen Frost, daughters Leigh Stevens and Jana Massey, and his three grandchildren: Reese Massey, Savannah Stevens, and Chance Stevens.

Services to be announced at a future date. In lieu of flowers, please consider donations to be made to Guide Dogs for the Blind, an organization he felt strongly about. William's family can be reached at: [email protected]