COLUMBIA CITY – William Wayne “Bill” May, 92, died at 8:24 a.m. Jan. 29, 2013, in Miller’s Merry Manor, Columbia City. He was born Jan. 24, 1921, in Monroe County, to Ernest and Rose Smiley May. In 1947, he married Margaret Jean Cruise, who preceded him in death. He served in the Civilian Conservation Corps in southern Indiana during the late 1930s and early 1940s. He joined the U.S. Army in 1942 and served in Australia, New Guinea and the Philippines. He was honorably discharged from active service in 1945 and went to work for Phelps Dodge Corp., Fort Wayne. He and his wife made their home in Fort Wayne until 1961 when they bought a farm near Larwill, where they began their market and greenhouse business, Spring Creek Market. He will be remembered by customers and friends of Spring Creek Market for his quick wit, cheese-cutting ability and large assortment of caps, often worn askew. He loved hearing and telling jokes, driving around the farm on his “mule”, having family cook-outs by the pond and enjoying a good slice of homemade pie. Surviving are three daughters, Patricia (and spouse John) Kokoczka, Uniontown, Ohio, and Michelle Arnold and Denise (and spouse John) Lock, all of Fort Wayne; a son Jim (and spouse Luanne) May, Larwill; eight grandchildren; three great-grandchildren, and a sister, Mildred Jeffers, Anderson. No services or calling are planned. A celebration of life will be at a later date. Smith and Sons Funeral Home, Columbia City, is in charge of arrangements. ***** Those who wish to remember Bill should plant an extra row in their garden this spring in his honor. The family wishes to thank the staff of Miller’s Merry Manor and Hospice for their care and support. Condolences may be sent via smithandsonsfuneralhome.com
