Stephen William May Jr., 97, of Greensboro, died Wednesday, Aug. 27.

Memorial services were held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Aug. 30 at the Greensboro Baptist Church with the Rev. Dee McQuire officiating. Burial followed at the Alabama National Cemetery near Montevallo at a later date. Visitation was held one hour prior to services at the church. Kirk Funeral Homes Greensboro Chapel was in charge of arrangements.

He is survived by his wife, Mary Lou Watson May; two sons, Stephen William “Billy” (Terri) May III of Sawyerville and Major Phillip May of Atlanta; three granddaughters, Stephany Elliott (Michael) LaPina, Christina Brooks Mitchell, Emily Elisabeth (Scott) Vansant; three great-grandchildren, Christina Jade Mitchell, Jackson Samuel Vansant and Clinton Doss LaPina; two sisters, Frances Warrean Pinyerd and Janie Bess Ruckman; and many other relatives and friends.

Preceding him in death were his parents, Stephen William May (1893-1966) and Laura Mims Quarles May (1899-1988); his brother, Albeit Young May (1919-2008); and his youngest sister, Laura Sue Hughes (1928-2006).

He was born in the May family home west of Sawyerville on Sept. 13, 1917, and attended school in Sawyerville, Akron and Greensboro.

In 1941, he joined Douglas Aircraft in California. Inducted into the Army in January 1944, he served in the Army Air Corps. He was awarded the Good Conduct Medal, Victory Medal and American Service Medal. Sgt. May was honorably discharged from duty in March 1946.

After the war, he purchased property from his father, built a home and farmed first in partnership with his father and later on his own until 1966.

In 1952, he joined the Hale County Highway Department as an engineering assistant and worked there for 16 years. From 1964 to 1984, he was rural mail carrier for the Sawyerville Post Office. He also was overseer of the Umbria property in Sawyerville during its last years.

He enjoyed music, reading nonfiction (especially aviation and military history), and traveling. A longtime member of the Greensboro Baptist Church, he served as deacon and in other offices. In addition to being a faithful churchgoer, he lived his faith by visiting and assisting members of his family and the community who were ill or infirm. He was a member of the American Legion and the Rural Letter Carriers Association.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions to the Greensboro Baptist Church, 908 Main Street, Greensboro, AL 36744 or to charity.