William Bruce May

CHESTERTOWN, Md. - William Bruce May III died Saturday, June 30, 2007, in Chestertown.

Mr. May was born in 1921, in Irvington, N.Y.

He was baptized at St. Barnabas Episcopal Church.

He graduated from Admiral Farragut Academy, which later awarded him its Distinguished Alumnus citation. In 1942, he graduated from Union College. There, he played varsity football and hockey and was a president of his class. He was also a member of Alpha Delta Phi.

Mr. May enlisted in the U.S. Army Aug. 15, 1942, and served on active duty through World War II in both European and Asiatic Pacific theaters.

He was married June 19, 1953, to Jeanne Atkinson.

He continued in the U.S. Army Reserve until 1972. A 30-year man, he retired as a lieutenant colonel. In the 1950s, he attended Columbia University, Pace College and New York University, taking courses in various real estate functions, insurance and general business. He also became a licensed NASD broker/dealer.

He joined the William B. May Company in 1957 and, after the death of his father four years later, became president of the organization. Under his 30-year leadership, the company expanded to more than 200 employees and associates, five offices and a property management division operating 210 substantial cooperative and condominium buildings.

Among his outside activities, he enjoyed teaching business, free enterprise and citizenship in the Junior Achievement Project Business program. In 1988, he was named Teacher of the Year, and his class was in a promotional film shown nationally.

Earlier, he served as coach and director of the Westchester Youth Hockey League. He also accepted offices in various neighborhood school and village organizations. At Fishers Island, where the family summered, he was appointed manager of Fishers Island Estate (later FIDCO), where for many years he supervised the road network and the water company. He was one of the early directors of FIDCO. He held the office of commodore of Fishers Island Yacht Club during its years of change and expansion. His hobbies included cruising in his 35-foot sloop, curling in the winter and golf. His clubs included Knickerbocker (NYC) Ardsley Country Club, Fishers Island and Chester River Yacht Country Club.

He was active in St. Barnabas Episcopal Church, serving as vestryman, lay leader and director of acolytes. Later, at Emanuel Church, he was called upon as lay leader, usher and acolyte.

Family services will be 11 a.m. July 21 in Emmanuel Episcopal Church, Chestertown.

Arrangements by Fellows, Helfenbein & Newnam Funeral Home, Chestertown.