William R. May Sr.

William R. May Sr. of Van Wert died at 9:12 a.m. Monday, January 18, 2016, at Van Wert County Hospital in Van Wert.

He was born November 8, 1930, in Delphos, the son of Roy “Bud” and Norma (Hartman) May, who both preceded him in death. On September 1, 1989, he married the former Dorothy (Miller) Protsman, who survives in Van Wert.

Bill was a 1949 graduate of Van Wert High School. He retired from Alexander & Bebout after 27 years of service.

He served in the U.S. Army from 1950-1953 in Korea. He was a member and past commander of American Legion Post 178 in Van Wert, was a member of Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 5803 and Loyal Order of Moose Lodge 1320, both in Van Wert, and the Lima Eagles. He was a past president of the former Van Wert Eagles.

He also attended Trinity Friends Church in Van Wert.

Survivors include five sons, Freeman (Diana) May, William R. May Jr., and Roy May, all of Van Wert, Jeffrey (Tammy) May of Grover Hill, and Michael (Joelle) May of Biloxi, Mississippi; a stepson, Michael Protsman of Van Wert; 11 grandchildren, Chaise and Blaise May, Seth May, Starraé and Crystal Protsman, Heather (Greg) Bartal, Joshua (Shannon) Boroff, Natasha Boroff, Ben Kochert, Jordan Kochert, and Alexandra (Jason) Loris; a great-grandson, Cooper May; seven stepgreat-grandchildren; and a sister, Ruby (Earl) Fulk.

He also leaves behind his two faithful companions, Mike and Molly.

A sister and brother-in-law, Margaret “Peg” and Don Miller, and a daughter-in-law, Wilma L. May, also preceded him in death.

Funeral services will be conducted at 11 a.m. Saturday, January 23, at Brickner Funeral Home, with the Rev. Neil Hammons officiating. Military honors will be rendered by combined units of Legion Post 178 and VFW Post 5803.

Calling hours are from 2-8 p.m. Friday, January 22, at the funeral home.

Preferred memorials: Trinity Friends Church.

Online condolences may be expressed at www.bricknerfuneralhome.com or emailed to bricknerfuneralhome@bright.net.