William Stanley May

A funeral service will be held at Willamette National Cemetery on March 10, 2017 at 1:30 pm. A celebration of life will take place immediately after at the Boleen Residence, 6525 SE Borwick St., Hillsboro Oregon.

William “Bill” Stanley May was born March 11, 1927 to Stanley and Etla Margaret May in Spokane, Wash where he was raised and educated.

On March 19, 1944 he married Eleanor Marks and they remained in Spokane, Wash where they started their family.

Bill enlisted in the United States Coast Guard serving at sea in the Pacific and off the coast of Japan during and after World War II. After receiving an Honorable Discharge, he and Eleanor opened their own florist shop in Spokane called MayHill Florist. During this time he joined a flying club and obtained his pilot license. From there Bill went on to become a salesman and spent several years working for United Paint, Fuller Paint and Boysen Paint. During his piloting days he enjoyed flying a Taylor Craft, Cessna 140 and Aircoupe. His career in the paint industry took the family from Spokane to Wenatchee, Seattle, Prineville, and Eugene before settling in Portland, Ore in 1969. Bill continued in paint sales until the early 1970’s when he got his real estate license. Eventually he got his broker license and opened Red Carpet Aloha Properties in Aloha, Ore. He continued in real estate until he retired at which time he and Eleanor became snowbirds and full time travelers in their fifth wheel.

Bill was a member of the Elks and the Aloha Rotary Club. During his time with the Aloha Rotary Club, he was presented with the Paul Harris Fellow Award for his work with Rotary International and his community involvement.

He was a musician known for his amazing piano playing. In the early 1940’s he had his own jazz band and played the local clubs in Spokane. This is where he met the love of his life, Eleanor.

Along with his love of music, Bill enjoyed boating, crabbing, baseball, reading, and traveling.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Eleanor.

Survivors include a son Stanley May, daughters Sharon Sheets (Darrell), Sandi Bates (Stan), Carla Boleen (Jeff), nine grandchildren, thirteen great-grandchildren.

Remembrances: The North Plains Senior Center, 31450 NW Commercial St., North Plains OR 97133

Online guestbook: www.skylinememorialgardens.com

Arrangements: Skyline Memorial Funeral Home