William M. “Bill” May of Paris, Texas passed away at home surrounded by family and friends on Saturday, January 6th at the age of 76 after a battle with cancer due to Agent Orange exposure while serving in the United States Air Force during the Vietnam War. Bill was born December 19, 1947, in Paris, Texas to Marshall and Ella Mae Todd May. He grew up in the small farming community of High, Texas and later moved to Paris where he graduated from Paris High School in 1966. Bill earned a Bachelor of Political Science degree from East Texas State University and a Master of Special Education degree from Texas A&M University-Commerce.
He was a wonderful husband, father, grandfather, brother, father-in-law, uncle, and friend. Friends and family could always look to him as an insightful source of advice and guidance. An avid reader, especially of the Western genre, he spent many hours with a book in hand. One of his most rewarding roles was his time spent as a math teacher in the Special Education Department at Schrade Middle School in Rowlett, Texas with Garland Independent School District. He lived a life of service to others. Bill will be greatly, greatly missed.
He is survived by his wife of 46 years Janice Edelhouser May; daughter Michelle May Ramos (Stephen); grandchildren Rebecca, Elizabeth, and Christopher Ramos of Waco, Texas; daughter Rene May of Orangevale, California; sister Melinda Handke (Greg) of Pinehurst, North Carolina; niece Sable Gonyea (David) of Dallas, Texas; great niece Laurel Gonyea; and nephew Mason Handke of Roanoke, Virginia. He was preceded in death by his parents and grandparents Roy and Myra May and Harry and Betty Todd.
Serving as pallbearers will be Randall Childres, Ray Dunlap, Tim Bullock, Randy Connot, Ronnie Morton, and Bobby Hargroves.
The family would like to express their appreciation to Dr. Chris Prakash, Dr. Sanjay Emandi, Dr. Khalid Shafiq, Dr. Ashfaq Tapia, Ashlyn Petty, the 5th floor nurses and staff of Paris Regional Health, the nurses and staff of Texas Oncology-Paris, the nurses and staff of Platinum Hospice Care, Rev. Kevin Strempke, Rev. Kathryn Strempke, Ray and Barb Dunlap, Tim and Connie Bullock, and the wonderful Calvary United Methodist Church family.
Services are scheduled for Thursday, January 11th at 11:00am at Calvary United Methodist Church at 3105 Lamar Avenue in Paris, Texas with Rev. Kevin Strempke officiating. Burial, with military honors, will follow at Evergreen Cemetery in Paris. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service. Bright-Holland Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be sent to the Red River Valley Veterans Memorial Museum https://www.rrvvm.org/in-memory-of or Calvary United Methodist Church https://tinyurl.com/yvj593kq .
To leave a message or tribute for the family please visit www.brighthollandfuneralhome.com
