Day: August 9, 2022

Harold “Sonny” Duane May, Sr., died at his home in Willows on Wednesday, May 4, 2022. He was born in Baker, Ore., to Edward May and Lorraine Long on Jan. 14, 1937.

He moved to Glenn County as a young boy with his family. He enlisted in the United States Air Force and was stationed in Germany for three years.

Upon discharge, he moved home to be near his mother, where he met his one true love, Jacqueline Victorine. They were married on May 10, 1961, and celebrated 60 years of marriage before her death in January of 2022.

He worked for most of his life as a heavy equipment operator for several private contractors, lastly for Walt Henning and Son. He especially enjoyed building Forest Highway 7.

In later years, he worked as a fuel delivery driver for Valley Petroleum. He also worked additional jobs for many years: a bartender at Chapman and Carroll’s Stand Up Bar, where he played horseshoes and shuffleboard with friends and customers, and was known as the champion of both! He also loved working for his friend at Roy Biggs Music and Vending.

In his younger years, he enjoyed helping his children with homework and supporting his children in their 4-H projects, especially raising rabbits. He loved hunting with his sons and working on cars of family and friends.

True pride and enjoyment came from providing for his family.

When family or friends came to visit, he would meet them outside, with tools in his hand, and lift the hood of their car for maintenance inspections and to check the level of fuel in the tank or air in the tires. Without fail, if the levels were low, he would share his famous reminder that it was important to keep the top half as full as the bottom half, and probably cheaper!

Having a large family was important to him. He enjoyed potluck picnics and family gatherings at their home, in the mountains, with the Fonseca family in Princeton, at the Joseph home in Willows, at their mountain cabin, and at the McCarthy homes in Santa Cruz and Bend, Ore.

He loved camping at Potato Patch and traveling in their motor home or camper.

He celebrated his 85th birthday at his home with family. He was a kind, loving and faithful husband, father, and grandfather.

He was a hard-working, generous man and a true friend who found his greatest joy in spending time with his family and helping others. He is truly missed by those who were loved by him.

He is survived by his children, Sharon Overholtzer (Jay) of Orland, Teresa Goodman (Rick), Peggy May, Harold, Jr., (Karen) May of Willows, and Ronnie May (Ginger) of Buhl, Idaho; foster children and raised daughters, Debbie Latimer and Trish Wells of Willows; 15 grandchildren; 26 great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces, nephews, great-nieces, and great-nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; brother Robert May; and loving wife, Jackie.

A celebration of life is planned to honor Sonny, his wife Jackie May, and her sister, Barbara Felix, at 11 a.m. on Monday, Aug. 15, at the Elks Lodge in Willows. Please join his family for a tri-tip potluck, and bring your favorite side dish or dessert, as well as a memory to share and a copy of a photo you have to display.

Joseph Michael Garcia died on Wednesday, July 27, 2022. He was born in Willows to John Michael “Mike” and Loeva “Elaine” (Ward) Garcia on Sept. 22, 1966.

He grew up in Bayliss and attended school in Willows. After graduating from Willows High School in 1984, he made his way to Biggs, where he helped his grandparents, John and Mary Garcia, farm rice.

He eventually purchased his grandparents’ farm and continued the family legacy in Biggs.

Joe was an active member of the community in Biggs and Gridley. He volunteered with the Biggs Fire Department for 12 years, he was an active member of the Gridley Moose Lodge, and spent his Monday nights during the past 20-plus years of football season with his buddies at the Monday Night Football Club.

He was married to the love of his life, Teresa “Teri” Ann Garcia, for the past 16 years. Together they spent most of their weekends in LaPorte, which was their “Happy Place” where Joe was a volunteer at the LaPorte Fire Department, a past Snowmobile Club President, and where he operated the snow groomer in the winter, which was one of the great joys in his life.

Joe had a great love for the outdoors. He especially loved being in the mountains of Plumas County, where he and his wife would spend hours on the back roads, exploring.

He was an avid hunter and fisherman. He enjoyed out of state elk hunts with his buddies and fishing at all the local fishing holes. In his younger days, he rode dirt bikes and loved to be in the mountains in the winter on his snow mobile.

He gave of his time for events and assisting anyone who asked for his help with his barbecuing or cooking skills. He loved to feed the people he cared about.

He loved his family and friends deeply.

He is survived by his bride, Teri; children Garret (Sierra) and Jacob, both of Gridley, Nick (Tanya) Becci of Biggs, Michelle (Brad) Royle of Reno, Nev., and Michael Becci of Gridley; brothers Ryan Garcia of Oroville, and Mathew (Cherie) Garcia of Bayliss; nieces Courtney Garcia, Katie (Justin) Hamilton and Kendyl Garcia; and nephew Colby Garcia.

Joe was the best Papa to three beautiful granddaughters who he loved so much, and they just adored him: Adela and Abrielle Becci, and Jillian Bench. These little girls meant the world to him.

Joe was preceded in death by his grandparents, John and Mary Garcia, and James “Red” and Loeva Ward; and father John Michael “Mike” Garcia.

A viewing is scheduled for 9 a.m. on Thursday, Aug. 11, with services following at 10 a.m. at the Willows First Baptist Church, 154 North Lassen Street. A celebration of his life is planned at noon at the Gridley Moose Lodge on Highway 99 East.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in Joe’s memory to the LaPorte Volunteer Fire Department, P.O. Box 180, Clipper Mills, CA 95930.