William R. H. (Bill) May

William R. H. “Bill” May, of Tallahassee, died of complications from chemotherapy and radiation, Tuesday, May 1, 2007 in Tallahassee. He was born February 5, 1944 in Ardmore, OK. He graduated from Williamsville High School, Williamsville, NY and graduated from Miami University at Oxford, OH, with a Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree in printmaking and painting. Bill was in the Air Force ROTC while at Miami University and served in the Air Force from 1966 until 1972. He began his Air Force career as a Motion Picture Production Officer. While stationed at Udorn Air Force Base, Thailand from 1968 to 1969, he was the Detachment Commander, Photo/Combat Documentation Unit, and at Maxwell Air Force Base, Alabama, he was the Art Director with the Air University Television. He left the service with the rank of Captain.

After leaving the Air Force, he went to work with the University of Miami, Miami, FL. He held various positions while there, including Graphic Illustrator Supervisor of Graphics Services and Art Director/Scenic Designer. He worked with the University for 28 years.

While in Miami, he was very active in the Reinactment Community. He did a few French and Indian War Reinactments in St. Augustine. He was most interested in the Revolutionary War Reinanctments. He was very active with the 60th Regiment, Royal Americans who participated each year at Castillo de San Marcos/Fort Marion, St. Augustine, FL. He also participated in the Seminole War Reinactments.

In 2000, he relocated to Tallahassee, FL where he worked for the Leon County Public Library as the Art and Publication Specialist.

He was preceded in death by his father, Army Air Force Pilot, Captain William R. Heck of Middletown, OH, who was killed while on a practice mission 7 days after Bill was born, and then by his adopted father, John H. “Jack” May of Valdosta who died in 2002.

He leaves behind a daughter, son-in-law, and two grandchildren, Lalli M. Barney, John A. Barney, Nathanael (9 years old) and Sydney (3 years old) of Nashville, TN; his mother, Lilla West “Sis” May of Valdosta; and his sister, brother-in-law and two nieces, Carolyn M. “Lynne” Voigt, Wayne C. Voigt of Tallahassee, Melissa Voigt Davis and Kimberly S. Voigt both of Portland, OR; along with numerous aunts, uncles and cousins.

A memorial service will be held Sunday, May 6, 2007 at 2:00 p.m. at Beggs Funeral Home, 3322 Apalachee Parkway, Tallahassee, FL (850) 942-2929. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Big Bend Hospice, 1723 Mahan Center Blvd., Tallahassee, FL 32308; American Cancer Society, 241 John Knox Rd., Tallahassee, FL 32303; Friends of the Library, 200 West Park Ave., Tallahassee, FL 32301. Condolences to the family may be conveyed on the obituary page at www.mclanefuneralservices.com. Carson McLane Funeral Home




Funeral Home:
Carson McLane Funeral Home
2215 North Patterson Street
Valdosta, GA
US 31602