William "Bill" Rueben May

On Tuesday afternoon, February 6, 2018, William “Bill” Rueben May finally ended his months-long battle with cancer, and won. At 2:53 pm, surrounded by those who loved him the most, he took his last breath in this world and took his first breath in Heaven. Bill was born on December 28, 1937 to the late Tom and Willie Ruth May. He is preceded in death by one son Ron Morrison; brother Tom May Jr.; three sisters Penny Stoops, Patricia Hysinger, and Priscilla Trammel.
He was a beloved husband, dad, papaw, and brother. Married to the love of his life, Faye Goins May, for 49 years, they had four amazing children, Teresa (Darrell), Linda, Ron, and Rick (Christie). They gave him eight beautiful grandchildren: Jared Morrison (Kimberly), Anne Raby, Amanda Raby, Roman Tatarinowicz, Seth Tatarinowicz (Taryn), Payton May, Bailey Jo May, and Logan May; and six great grandchildren. He was so delighted when the kids were around and would often ask, “bring those babies to see me.” He also leaves behind two sisters Phyllis Blackwell and Louise Morris.
He bravely served his country in the United States Army for 6.5 years. Bill’s first love was horses and he worked with horses in many different capacities as a trainer, ferrier, and even showed horses during his early life. He was a jack of all trades. There wasn’t a thing he couldn’t fix, a tool he didn’t have, or a deal he couldn’t make. Bill worked many different jobs from a gifted automotive technician to owning his own lawnmower business.
He also loved to fish. In his final years, nothing brought him more joy than being on the lake with his son, Rick, and even after he was unable to get to the lake, he could tell Rick’s fishing stories so vividly, as if he witnessed them firsthand.
The family will receive friends from 2:00pm until 3:30pm on Saturday February 10, 2018 at Companion Funeral Home located at 2419 Georgetown RD NW, Cleveland, TN 37311. A celebration of life service will be held at 3:30pm following the visitation. Interment will follow the service at Flint Springs Cemetery.
You are invited to share a personal memory of Bill or your condolences with his family at his online memorial located at www.companionfunerals.com. Companion Funeral and Cremation Service and the Cody family are honored to assist the May family with these arrangements.