Winfred Earl "Winkie" May

Winfred Earl "Winkie" May was born June 14, 1935, to Victor Dow and Bertha McCool May of Sheridan. He was the 4th of 5 boys. Winkie went to heaven on Tuesday, January 9, 2018. He was preceded in death by his parents, and brothers Victor, Jimmy Dale, and Freddie May. He is survived by his wife of 61 years, Betty Catherine Gean May and two daughters; Marsha Turner and Karrie Cates (Allen); and one brother, Billie Van May (Lenora) of Sheridan. Grandchildren; Brandon Turner, Lauren Turner, Reagan Cates and Reid Cates, and several nieces, nephews and cousins. Winkie graduated from Sheridan High School in 1954. He had earned All-State honors in Football and Basketball 1953 and 1954. The Yellow Jackets were beat in the Semi Finals in the 1954 State Basketball Tournament, when Winkie set a 3-game scoring record of 87 points. This record held until 1958 when it was broke by Jerry Carlton. Winkie began his college career at Kilgore Junior College. Kilgore was too far from home, so he transferred to Little Rock JC (now UALR) and played football. He then transferred to Arkansas Tech where he played third base on the baseball team and earned All-AIC honors as a quarterback for the Wonder Boys. After graduating from Arkansas Tech in 1959, Winkie began his coaching career at Benton, Arkansas where he coached Football and Basketball. He then coached at South Western in Memphis (now Rhodes College). Coach May went back to Benton to coach football and won a 3A State Championship in 1966. He ended his coaching career with the El Dorado Wildcats. After completing his master's degree from Louisiana Tech in 1974, Winkie took the principals position at Norphlet High School. He was principal for 6 years, then served as Superintendent for 11 years before retiring. After retiring, he went to Mt. Holly and served as Superintendent for 6 years before becoming a painting contractor. Winkie was an Arkansas Official in Football and Basketball for 37 years. He worked many district and state tournaments in Basketball. He officiated the Dual State Basketball Tournament in Junction City for 15 years. He also worked many state football playoff games and was the head official in the All Star Game in 2007 in Razorback Stadium. Winkie was ordained as a deacon April 30, 1978 at Second Baptist Church in El Dorado. He served as Chairman of the Building Committee for the Education Building at First Baptist Church, Norphlet, where he also taught Sunday School for many years. Wink loved to hunt quail for years with his brother Billie. In the early 1980's he began hunting with his best friend John. They traveled to Arizona, Georgia, Kansas, Oklahoma and Texas, to bird hunt. Winkie loved his grand kids. They were his pride and joy. Special Thanks to his Care Giver, John Bolding; The Staff at One Day Surgery at MCSA; The 10th Floor Staff at Baptist Health; and the Staff at LifeTouch Hospice, Dr. Balan Nair and Dr. Christina Monteith. Visitation will be held at Young's Funeral Home Friday, January 12 from 5-8 p.m. Funeral will be held at 10 a.m. at First Baptist Church, Norphlet Saturday, January 13. Graveside Service will be held at Lost Creek Cemetery in Sheridan, Saturday, January 13 at 2:30 p.m. Memorials can be sent to LifeTouch Hospice; TeamCorrie Cancer Foundation; SAU Baseball (100 E University, MSC 9338, Magnolia, Ark. 71753) Parkers Chapel Baseball and Golf; Family Life Center Fund FBC Norphlet. An online guest registry will be available at www.youngsfuneralhome.com.