OSTOS MAY, 87, passed away peacefully at the Treasure Coast Hospice House in Port Saint Lucie, Florida on Tuesday, May 15th, 2012. He had made his home at Abingdon Assisted Living in Port Saint Lucie for almost two years.
He was born on April 29, 1925 in Ceredo, West Virginia, a son of the late Lawrence Morgan and Stella Copley May.
He was a remarkable man who came from a meager and humble beginning and built a life reflective of his integrity and work ethics. There was never an idle moment for him. After the death of his father, he quit school to help support his mother and siblings. On August 16, 1943, at the age of eighteen, he enlisted in the Navy.
Eager to learn, he completed training on the U.S.S. Bobolink on June 28, 1944 with a ranking of Seaman First Class. Traveling on the Bobolink from San Francisco to Honolulu, Hawaii, his ship was stationed at Pearl Harbor and was responsible for Harbor Defense. As his ship traveled the Pacific waters in search of mines that had been left behind from the bombing of Pearl Harbor, he earned his rating of Soundman and the task of pursuing the mines with the use of sonar.
He received his Honorable Discharge from the Navy on April 12, 1946 and was awarded the American and Pacific Theater Ribbons and the Victory Medal for having served his country during a time of war.
Returning home to Ceredo, he met his “little red bird” as he referred to his wife, Velma, who preceded him in death on February 7, 1998. Married for fifty-two years, their lives were filled with hard work and struggles, but they dreamed of one day having a beautiful home built on enough land that would insure that their children, grandchildren, and the generations after them would always have a place to call home.
His life was filled with his numerous interests. His love of golf afforded him the privilege of once caddying for Sam Snead; his love of gardening produced many bountiful crops that fed his family and many others for countless years; his generous nature prompted his membership in the Junior Order of United American Mechanics of Ceredo, whose mission to support an orphanage was an impetus to a lifetime of his patronage to many charities. His most loved mission in life was to provide for his family and protect them from the hardships that he had faced.
After working for the Norfolk and Western Railroad for over thirty-eight years, he retired in June, 1987.
Mourning the loss of this extraordinary man are his children, William Eugene May of Ceredo, WV, Brenda Sue (Roger) Napier of Port Saint Lucie, FL, and Sammy Lee May of Huntington, WV; His Grandchildren, William Eugene May, Jr. of San Francisco, CA, Robin Gayle May, of Ceredo, WV, Stephen Eric Bowen of Port Saint Lucie, FL, Don Charles May of Ceredo, WV, Joshua Garrett May of Huntington, WV, and Roger Brendan (Courtney) Napier of Huntington, WV; His Step-Grandchildren Shannon (Larry II) Rowe of Port Saint Lucie, FL, and Stephenie (Jim) Moock of Jupiter, FL; His Great-Grandchildren Robert (Robbie) Tyler May of Huntington, WV, Austin May and Josilyn May, both of Prichard, WV, Zane Charles May of Ceredo, WV, and Marley Brenae Napier of Huntington, WV; His Step-Great-Grandchildren Larry Rowe III and Sara Rowe of Port Saint Lucie, FL and Lily Moock of Jupiter, FL.
In addition to his parents and his wife, preceding him in death are his beloved grandson, Robert Lee May and his brothers Alvis “Red” May, Cleo “Kay” May, Elmer May, Mack May, Clyde Crabtree, and Herschel Nichols. What a joyous reunion that must have been for him!
The family will receive friends on Monday evening, May 20th between the hours of 6:00 PM-8:00 PM at Beard Mortuary at 3001 Third Avenue. A service will be held on Tuesday, May 21st at 11:00 AM at the Mortuary. Reverend Earl Bush will officiate. Pallbearers will be William E. May, Sammy L. May, S. Eric Bowen, Don May, R. Brendan Napier, and Robbie May. Interment will be at Dock’s Creek Cemetery in Kenova, WV.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Treasure Coast Hospice House by calling the Foundation Office at 772-403-4510. The family appreciates all of the love and care that was given to him at Abingdon Retreat during his last year and a half. They truly provided him the quality of care and dignity that he deserved.

Our Father kept a garden.
A garden of the heart;
He planted all the good things,
That gave our lives their start.

He turned us to the sunshine,
And encouraged us to dream:
Fostering and nurturing
The seeds of self-esteem.

And when the winds and rain came,
He protected us enough;
But not too much because he knew
We would stand up strong and tough.

His constant good example,
Always taught us right from wrong;
Markers for our pathway that will last
a lifetime long.

We are our Fathers garden,
We are his legacy.
Thank you Dad we love you.

Author Unknown

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