William "Bill" May

William (Bill) May , age 77, passed away, December 28, 2024 .

There will be a celebration of Life at The Warehouse at Wilson Hill on February 8, 2025 beginning at 2:00 pm. Food, tea, and celebrating the life of Bill May will be offered. Pastors' will be Shelley Rouse and Scott Childs .Alcohol is welcome but will not be provided.

Bill May is survived by his wife of 58 years, Deborah (Debbie) May; his son Rick May and daughter-in-law Tricia May; his daughter Tonya May-Smith and son-in-law Jeff Smith; grandchildren Fayth Richards and grandson-in-law Remington Richards; Danielle Smith and Christopher Flanagan; great grandchild Madison Richards and special friends Richard Hopson, Robert Landers, Bobby Jones, Cherie Guy, Nancy Bickmore and his faithful companion Rex.

Bill was born in 1947 to William J. May and Mertie May in Sugar Land, Texas.He married his childhood sweetheart Debbie Robbins- May in 1966 shortly after high school graduation. Early in his marriage he worked as an auto mechanic at a family garage. Bill eventually progressed to the mobile home manufacturing industry which led to his assignments in North Carolina and Mississippi. Next Bill moved into the professional lawn machinery manufacturing business. Bill was employed by Jacobson-Textron Lawn Mowers in Brookhaven, MS. He was promoted early in this new industry. Jacobson was purchased by other companies. As the company grew so did Bill. He was promoted and moved with the companies to finally settle at John Deere in Greeneville, TN.

Bill had an amazing connection with people. His natural personality combined with his innate ability to lead was identified early in his career,. Ultimately, he was promoted to Production Manager of John Deere. One of Bill's most admired traits was his tough work ethic and dedication to his family. His family doesn't exist soley with his wife and children but also with his colleagues from John Deere and members of the community. Bill not only made friends with most the people he met , he made them family. Most in the Greeneville Community affectionately refer to Bill as "Mr. John Deere".

When Bill wasn't working , he spent most of his time with his wife and family. Known as a Tennessee angler, he had fishing skills that would rival those of Bill Dance. Bill spent his time on the Tennessee rivers fishing with his friends and of course, telling jokes.

Bill May will be terribly missed by his family, friends and the community. Those wanting to send flowers or have a tree planted in Bill's name may scroll to the bottom of this page and click "plant a tree".