Obituary of William B. May

William (Ben) May., retired attorney, civic leader, former assistant district attorney. William B. May passed away Oct 3, 2016 in Millard Fillmore Suburban Hospital. May died of an infection and complications of renal failure. Born in Schenectady on January 22, 1928, he was the son of Maurice and Jeanne Thompson. May a retired attorney moved to Lockport in 1941, graduated from Lockport High had some college before entering in the Air Force of the Korean War. He served as an instructor, was in training command teaching military law and various other courses. After graduating from University of Buffalo, May received his Juris doctor from Cornell School of Law in 1956 and returned to Lockport to commence the practice of law. He joined Lewis, Symes and May law firm in 1957 were he counseled Henrietta Grigg-Lewis founder of the Grigg-Lewis Foundation. May served as the Director of the foundation since 2002 he had served since its inception in the 1960’s. He then became the Executive Director. He has served on many other boards such as Presbyterian Homes Foundation, Wyndham Lawn Investment Board, First Presbyterian Church of Lockport and the Kenan Center. He has received many awards but most highly recognized would be the Lockport Rotary International’s “The Paul Harris Fellowship” and The Habitat “Golden Hammer” Award, The Kenan “Volunteer of the Year” Award. Also, Mayor Anne McCaffrey proclaimed “May Day” in Ben’s honor last year. May has always been a booster for his community. His one wish before he retired or before he died was to see the completion of the Cornerstone Ice Rink since he was so instrumental in this project. He married Lois Wall of Cortland, they had three children. May is survived by his wife Geri of 43 years. May is the father of Jennifer (Larry) Amatulli, Brewster, NY, William A (Lisa) May, Rhode Island and James R. May Lockport. Step father of Julie (Peter) Kruszynski and Elizabeth (Les) Barnes. Grandfather of 14 grandchildren. Brother of Sally Alderdice and late Wendel, Howard and Richard May. Relatives and friends may call Thursday, October 6th, and Friday, October 7th at Prudden and Kandt, from 3 – 7 pm. A funeral service will be held Saturday, October 8th at 11am at the First Presbyterian Church, 21 Church St, Lockport. Memorial donations to the church or the charity of one’s choice would be appreciated by the family.