CAPT William Robert May, USNR (retired), 78, beloved and wonderful husband, father, and grandfather, passed away on Wednesday, December 30th, 2020 in Cumming Georgia.
He is survived by his loving wife of 51 years, Marilyn Jewell May; their son Steven Robert May (his wife Angela, and their children Carmella, Roman, Judah, Asher, and Hadassah); their son Richard Bryan May (his wife Michelle, and their children Madelyn, Gavin, and Vivian); and his brother Dr. Paul May (and his wife Suzanne); and the Jewell family he loved so much. He was preceded in death by his loving father, Dr. William P. May, and mother, Ramona Geer May.
He was born and raised in Montgomery, Alabama, and was a graduate of Sidney Lanier High School (1960), earned a B.S. from Auburn University (1965), and graduated from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary with a Master of Theology and Doctor of Ministry (1975). He proudly served for 30 years as a Chaplain in the United States Navy in both active duty and the reserves. He worked for 50 years in the active ministry of the Southern Baptist convention, pastoring five churches in Maryland, Virginia, and Alabama, and the International Baptist Church of Brasilia Brazil. In retirement, he served as the Director of Missions for the Mid-Tidewater Baptist Association and later volunteered as a driver for the Send Relief ministry in Georgia.
His departure will leave an incredible hole in the lives of those who knew him, and especially his family and grandchildren that loved him so dearly.
A private burial will be held in mid-January at the Georgia National Cemetery in Canton Georgia with a celebration service held in Cumming Georgia around his birthday on May 28th.
The family asks you to remember his favorite scriptures (Ephesians 2:7-10, 1 Thessalonians 4); That you put your faith in Jesus Christ so that you, like him, are not afraid of death; And to love one another unconditionally, as did he.
Ingram Funeral Home and Crematory, 210 Ingram Ave; Cumming, GA is in charge of the arrangements.
Published in Montgomery Advertiser from January 9th and 10th, 2021.