William May

MAY , William Clifford William Clifford May was a husband, father, friend, companion, and a comrade in arms among the many other things people will remember about him. Bill was predeceased by his wife of sixty-seven years, Molly Aileen (Clark) who preceded him into heaven in 2008, and by his brother Sydney May and sisters Clare Wikdahl and Alice Carey. He is survived by one brother Edward May of Vancouver, British Columbia. Bill was born on June 15, 1920 into a family that valued sports as a pastime. He competed as a junior hockey professional before the age of eighteen, and went into the army in 1939 when his older brother was promoted and made a place for him in the Lord Strathcona's Horse (Royal Canadians) Regiment. Bill and Molly married in 1941 after he called for Molly to elope and join him in Toronto while he was taking basic training with the Strathconas. When Molly answered his call (and brought her mother along for the trip), he jumped the fence at camp and they were married one day before he was shipped overseas to Europe. Bill and Molly never saw each other again for another five years. Bill returned to St. James, Manitoba in 1945 and his career took him to Calgary in 1946, on to Vancouver in 1949, back to Calgary in 1954, over to Germany in 1957, and back to Calgary in 1959. His career reached its most celebrated period when he was appointed Regimental Sergeant-Major in 1960 with his beloved Strathconas. Bill May retired from the army in 1963 and began a new career as an insurance adjustor and later as a Manager training junior adjustors for several companies including the Co-operators Insurance Group. He retired from that career in 1987 to indulge his grandchildren and their grandmother in recreation travels to British Columbia and points south. Bill was a soft touch for many charities that needed his help. He spent some of his retirement time acting as president of his home community, the Glamorgan Community Association where he found enough time to raise money for a new building roof. Bill leaves his seven children, David May, Hillery May, Julie Furneaux, Roberta May-McLean (Bruce), Gregory May, Lee May, and Shaun May (Maureen) to mourn his loss. He also leaves thirteen grandchildren, Kevin May, Patrick May, Ella May, Charlotte Furneaux, David Furneaux, Michael McLean, Dana McLean, Zacharija May, Kristian May, Ayrn May, Alison May, Liam May and Nolan May, all of whom still live in Calgary. In his last years, he was comforted by his close friend, Phyllis Charbonneau, also of Calgary. On Friday, February 5, 2010 following a private family graveside farewell, the family will be serving refreshments from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. to friends and neighbours at the Glamorgan Community Association hall located at 4207 - 41 Avenue S.W. Arrangements entrusted to LEYDEN'S FUNERAL HOME, RECEPTION & CREMATION CENTRE. Telephone: 403-228-4422. www.leydens.com .