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.
The Glenn County Observer 