Harold "Hal" Lee Mayo

CMSGT HAROLD "HAL" LEE MAYO (USAF, Ret.), 92, died Thursday September 29, 2022, in Little Rock, Ark. Hal was born in Rogersville, Tenn., on January 29, 1930, the son of James Ray and Norma Mayo. After graduating from Rogersville High School, he enlisted in the USAF. Shortly after enlisting, he met the love of his life, Willie "Woodie" Fay Wood, who was also enlisted in the USAF. Woodie loves to tell the story of seeing Hal for the first time while he was marching in a military parade and telling her friend, "That's the man I am going to marry." Hal and Woodie married and had six children, whom he was proud of and loved deeply. Hal had a distinguished 27-year career in the USAF, reaching the highest enlisted rank of Chief Master Sergeant. After retiring from the Air Force, Hal spent 20 years working for the Veteran's Administration as a property inspector. Retiring at the age of 62, he and Woodie moved to their dream home on Greers Ferry Lake, where they had many adventures and made many friends. Hal always had hobbies, including boating, skiing, horseback riding, photography, and golf. He loved taking pictures of the sunset from the deck of his lake house. He enjoyed playing golf with friends at Thunderbird Golf Club in Heber Springs, and later those friends dedicated a bench to him on the 4th hole, where he had made several holes in one. Hal is survived by his wife of 71 years, Woodie; three daughters: Linda (Ken) Bowen of Puyallup, Wash., Karen Mayo of Edwards, Colo., Jo Spencer of Little Rock, Ark., two sons: Robert (Mary) Mayo of Denham Springs, La., and James (Samantha) Mayo of Springfield, Mo.; three sisters: Joy Osborne, Vicki Knox, and Sally Ashwood; sister-in-laws, Ardith Helms and Reba Cunningham; eleven grandchildren: Mike Bowen, Jenny Bowen, Philip Mayo, Matthew Mayo, Zachary Mayo, Sydni Mayo, Madison Spencer, Kate Spencer, Taylor Mayo, Wesley Mayo, and Benjamin Mayo; eight great-grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews. Hal is preceded in death by his son, Bruce; and his brothers, Tom and Gene. A memorial service with a color guard will be held at the Arkansas State Veterans Cemetery in North Little Rock on Friday October 7, 2022 at 10 a.m. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Parkway Village Chaplains Fund, c/o Baptist Foundation, 14300 Chenal Parkway, Little Rock, Ark., 72211. Arrangements are under the direction of RuebelFuneralHome.com.