From the Flight Deck to the Pool Table: Bill Travis Reinvents Retirement

The True Story of From the Flight Deck to the Pool Table: Bill Travis

After nearly three decades in the skies as a Pan Am captain, I began a new chapter I never expected. That’s how this story — from the flight deck to the pool table — became my own.

I flew the Boeing 707, 747, and A310 on global routes. For almost 30 years, the flight deck was home. But when I retired in 1992, I discovered that leaving the cockpit didn’t mean the journey was over.

From flying 747's to pool competition

Reinventing Life with Music, Theater, and Community

My first stop after flying was music — a longtime passion. I led a 17-piece jazz orchestra, then founded the Mesa Jazz and Blues Theater in Arizona. With the support of the city, musicians, and the community, we opened in 2022 with live shows, a Chamber of Commerce ribbon cutting, and TV interviews on AZTV.

The Omicron pandemic cut the run short. But it opened the door to something unexpected.

From Cue Ball to Confidence — Why I Took Up Pool at 90

Yes — at age 90, I began playing competitive pool.

With guidance from legendary instructor Jerry Briesath, I joined BCA leagues, competed in national tournaments, and began training with the goal of reaching a 500 Fargo rating.

I don’t play for trophies. I play to grow. That’s the same mindset I had in the cockpit.

From Storytelling to Tribute Writing

Now in my 90s, I write books, publish tributes, and help others preserve their own legacies. Whether writing about Pan Am pilots or honoring someone’s life in a custom obituary, I continue to work with purpose.

From the flight deck to the pool table: Bill Travis isn’t just a story — it’s proof that the best journeys aren’t behind us. They’re still being written.