Billy Joe ‘ BJ’ May of Bryant, Arkansas, passed away on June 16, 2022 at the age of 85. BJ was born December 5, 1936 in Kingsland, Arkansas to John Brownlow and Gladys Easterling May. He was preceded in death by his parents, sisters Helen McMurty and Mildred Pascal, brother Lester May and grandson Austin May.
He is survived by his wife, Mary Lou May of the home, daughters Robbin Miller (Wyatt) of Conway, AR and Jennifer Dunlap (Eric) of Ward, AR, son Stan May of Alexander, AR. Granddaughters Kassi Pfauser (Chris), Georgia and Hannah Miller, grandson Zach May and great grandson Woods Pfauser. Sister Sue Rowland (Charles) and bonus brother Larry May (Brenda). BJ was also blessed with many nieces and nephews.
BJ grew up in Pine Bluff, AR where he attended Pine Bluff High School. In his senior year, BJ joined the Air Force where he received his GED and served from 1954 to 1964. During his time with the Air Force, BJ was stationed in Japan and at several bases across the United States, but spent the most of his years in the Washington DC and Charleston, SC areas.
BJ and Mary Lou met through mutual friends around 1958 and married in 1960. In their younger years they loved to go dancing.
In 1964, BJ was honorably discharged from the Air Force and returned to Pine Bluff where he began his career as a Railroad Engineer working for Cotton Belt, Southern Pacific and Union Pacific Railroads. BJ retired in 1997.
He was a life time member of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers (BLE) Division 858 since 1970. He served as Vice President, Secretary Treasurer and Legislative Representative of the BLE Arkansas State Legislative Board and was an honorary member of BLE Division 182.
He was a member of the National Association of Retired and Veteran Railway Employees (NARVRE) Unit 119, President, Secretary Treasurer and Legislative Representative, and Assistant Area Director for Area Five.
BJ had many friends and former co-workers with the railroad that he helped as they retired to make sure that they received all of the benefits of retirement that the railroad offered. He was highly regarded in this area.
After retirement, BJ became a Legal Investigator Hubbell Law Firm where he worked from 1998 to 2013.
BJ and Mary Lou lived in Little Rock, AR for many years and moved to Bryant, AR in 2017. After moving to Bryant, BJ became active with the Bryant Senior Center where he served as Chairman of the Board for approximately 2 years. He also served as Board Member at Large for the Prospect Park Property Owners Association.
BJ was a member of Spring Creek Baptist Church in Benton.
BJ came from a very loving family who got together for weekly visits and holidays. He loved to be around family and friends, and people in general. He loved to tell stories, travel, play golf, go fishing, and play cards. But his greatest love was his kids and grandkids. He was very involved in their lives, from going on school field trips, to never missing a sporting event, band concerts or on-field band performances. He was PawPaw not only to the grandkids but many of their friends.
The family would like to say a special thanks to the nursing staff at the Arkansas Heart Hospital, who helped BJ and the family during his last days.
