William R. May

Bill May entered the gates of Heaven at 5:50 a.m. on Jun 22, 2021, the same day he came into this world eighty-five years ago to the day when in 1936 he was born to proud parents William Henry and Goldie Gladys Weimer May, residents of Shamokin, Pennsylvania, a small coal mining town where the May Family ancestry goes back to the 1840s.

As one can imagine, Bill’s childhood in Shamokin was filled with one adventure after another, each one reinforcing the close bonds between families and friends, a fringe benefit of small-town living. Never meeting a stranger, Bill was a ready conversationalist who enjoyed getting to know all there was to know about anyone and everyone who came across his path. Growing up on the family farm, helping his dad deliver coal, hunting in the nearby woods or just hanging out with the other kids in town, as loyal friends just do, were wonderful life-long memories of his beloved “PA” that Bill enjoyed sharing with everyone he met.

Bill graduated from Shamokin High School in 1954. However, it didn’t take a high school diploma for him to realize that job prospects in this small patch of Pennsylvania were nowhere to be found, a fact that led his best friend, Ronnie Johnson, to encourage Bill to join him in Texas. Ronnie had already left Shamokin for greener prospects in Texas where he was enrolled at a seminary in Ft. Worth. Bill soon found himself in Ft. Worth with his best friend, Ronnie, who shortly thereafter led Bill to his best friend, Jesus. Bill’s first job in Texas was at the General Motors’ assembly plant in Arlington, but the alure of Houston became too great to resist. In 1957, he moved to Houston where he happily met his soul mate, Beverly Brewster, who would become his wife for the next fifty-three years. They were married on September 19, 1958 in Houston and attended the University of Houston. During this time, Bill began his 38-year career with the United States Postal Service as a letter carrier, a profession that fit perfectly with his fondness for the outdoors.

Bill’s love of people and adventure led him to take a road trip with Beverly and their three children as they camped and fished their way across the United States during the summer months. He and Beverly were active members and teachers at Houston First Baptist Church, leading many to a saving relationship with Jesus Christ. Bill was also active as a basketball player and referee until Beverly’s health began to decline. Bill spent the remaining years of Beverly’s life lovingly caring for her until her death on December 2, 2011.

Finding love again, Bill married Virginia Caral Morgan on February 8, 2014 in Austin, Texas. Beverly had been Caral’s close friend and Christian mentor in Houston. Together, Bill and Caral traveled with family and friends and continued to be active at Great Hills Baptist Church in Austin for the next seven years until he was diagnosed with esophageal cancer in March 2021. With a firm belief in II Corinthians 4:16-18 and Jeremiah 31:25, Bill looked forward to and prepared for his final adventure where he would meet his Lord.

Bill was preceded in death by his parents, William H. and Goldie G. May, wife Beverly Brewster May, son David K. May and sister, Joanne L. May Dunkelberger. Surviving family members include: wife, Caral Morgan; son, William R. May, Jr. and wife Lori; daughter Karri May Clark and husband Jeff; and granddaughter, Chelsea May Newman, husband Nate, and great grandson, Ned Newman. Siblings are brother, Robert May and wife Doris; sister Goldie May Stehr and husband John.

For those wishing to leave a message of remembrance of Bill, please visit the Weed-Corley-Fish Funeral Home website www.wcfish.com. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Great Hills Baptist Church at 10500 Jollyville Road, Austin, Texas 78759, or any charity of your choice.

“So, we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are unseen are eternal.” (2 Cor. 4:16-18)

“For I have given rest to the weary and joy to the sorrowing.” (Jer. 31:25)