Wilbur John May 1925 ~ 2011
Wilbur John May, age 86, passed away at the care facility in Bountiful, Utah on Monday, May 23, 2011 after his courageous battle with many health issues. He was born April 19, 1925 in Umatilla, Oregon to George Emil May and Jemima Berry Henson Durrant. He was the fifth son of six boys. In 1942 he graduated at seventeen from West High School, Salt Lake City, Utah. He was drafted in the military in 1943 and served in World War II in the U.S. Navy Seabees and was stationed in New Guinea and the Philippines. In 1947 he received his Eagle Scout award with three Palms. His grandsons have honored him by following in his footsteps. He married his "brown eyed" sweetheart, Janice Croft, September 4, 1952 in the Salt Lake Temple. They lived in the Rose Park, Salt Lake City, Utah area for 57 years where they raised their family. They have six children, five girls and one son. Claudia Schenk (Norman), Teresa Mikkelsen (David), Alana May, Linnea Muhlestein (Gary), Quinn John May (Barbara) and Marceena Hoole (LeRoy). They are blessed with four granddaughters and fourteen grandsons and nine great-grandchildren. He loved camping, hunting, fishing and seeing what was around the next bend. He was an avid stamp and coin collector. He loved baseball and at one time he played on three different leagues. He was active in the community and volunteered for the Mobile Watch Program for 16 years and received many commendations. Wilbur had many callings in the LDS church and was an ordinance worker for 12 years in the Salt Lake Temple. He always attacked life with a smile and laughter. He could repair anything. He was a big man with big hands and a big heart who helped neighbors, friends and widows with many unselfish hours of service. He lived the Scout Oath and his life was a reflection of it . . . "On my honor I will do my best, to do my duty to God and my country and obey the Scout Law; to help other people at all times; to keep myself physically strong, mentally awake, and morally straight." A viewing will be held at Larkin Mortuary, 260 East South Temple, Salt Lake City, Utah on Monday, May 30, 2010 from 6:00-8:00 p.m. Funeral Services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, May 31, 2011 at the Rose Park Stake Center, 760 North 1200 West, Salt Lake City, Utah. Friends may call from 9:45 to 10:45 a.m. before services. Interment will be at the Pleasant Grove Cemetery, 500 North 100 East, Pleasant Grove, Utah.