William Edward "Ed" May

William Edward "Ed" May ran the race, fought the good fight of faith, finished his course entering into the arms of his Lord Jesus Christ on Sunday, November 23, 2014. He touched the lives of many with his never ending smile, his warm and caring heart and his compassionate nature for others. Always willing to lend a helping hand to those in need, he demonstrated Christ in all he did. Mr. May was born on August 6, 1927, in Ellisville, Arkansas, located in Calhoun County, to the late William Edgar May and Gladys Hunsburger May. He was reared and received his education in the Thornton School District. Later serving in the United States Navy from 1945 to 1948. Following his military career, Mr. May worked at Camden Ammunition Plant as a locksmith. May and his family moved to the White Hall area where he pursued his career as a locksmith at the Pine Bluff Arsenal where they resided from 1957 until 1960, later making White Hall their permanent home. Mr. May attended Plain View Baptist Church where he was ordained as a deacon in 1957. He also served as an active deacon at First Baptist Church of White Hall, formerly Lee Memorial, until 2005. He was a charter member of the very first White Hall Volunteer Fire Department and served as a White Hall Alderman for 22 years. He was a current member of the American Legion, which he joined in 1950. Ed May loved White Hall and vivaciously served his hometown and it's residents with many years of dedication for which he received recognition for on several occasions included the prestigious Jack Moody Award, presented to May in 2003, by the White Hall Chamber of Commerce. In addition to his parents, Mr. May was preceded in death by a Step-Mother, Nettie Hornaday Rothwell May; sister, Verna May Hudson. He is survived by the love of his life, Edna Davis May, his wife of 68 years; three daughters, Joyce Welch and husband Cadell of White Hall, Linda Ply and husband Tony of Cabot and Pam Dwyer and husband Rick of Hot Springs; eight grandchildren, Dale Welch of Bryant, Butch Welch of Alma, Monica Harvill of Atkins, Emily Van Winkle of Cabot, Brooke Monk of Hot Springs, Caleb Dwyer of Fountain Lake, Hayden Dwyer of Conway and Bailey Dwyer of Hot Springs; twelve great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandchild, making five generations. Others survivors include, Lorene May Creed of Camden, Louise Rothwell Orman of Garland, Texas, Rex Rothwell of Billings, Montana, Charles May of Euless, Texas, Doris May Strickland of Camden, Pat Rothwell of Carsonville, Missisisppi and Diane May McBryde of McKinney, Texas. A visitation will be held from 5 to 7 pm, on Tuesday, November 25, 2014 at the First Baptist Church White Hall. The funeral service will be held at 2 pm Wednesday, November 26, 2014 also at First Baptist Church of White Hall. Burial will fellow in the White Hall Methodist Cemetery. In Lieu of Flowers, donations may be made to the First Baptist Church of White Hall, P.O. Box 20307, White Hall, Arkansas 71612. Arrangements are by Cranford Funeral Home of White Hall.