SR0728 97TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

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SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of Willie L. May, who passed away on March 28, 2012; and

WHEREAS, Willie May was born on November 11, 1936, in Tuscaloosa, Alabama; his parents were Louise Higgins and Bennie May; he married Norma Jean Butler on July 5, 1964; and

WHEREAS, Willie May moved to the Chicago area at an early age and grew up in Robbins; he attended Blue Island Community High School (now Eisenhower High School), where he participated in various sports; in 1955, he led the school to an Illinois State Championship and won gold medals in the 120-yard high hurdles, the 180-yard low hurdles, and the 880-yard relay; he subsequently attended the university of Colorado before graduating from Indiana University, where he won 7 Big Ten championships in the hurdles from 1957 to 1959; he also earned his master's degree in physical education from Indiana University in 1966; and

WHEREAS, Willie May competed in the 1960 Olympic Games in Rome, Italy, where he won the silver medal in the 110-meter hurdles after a photo finish; he also won the silver medal at the 1963 Pan-American Games; and

WHEREAS, Willie May began his long and distinguished career in education during the 1960s; in 1967, he began teaching at Evanston Township High School (ETHS); while at ETHS, he served as both a teacher and as an assistant boys track and field coach; during his tenure as assistant coach, the school won State titles in 1970, 1971, 1972, and 1974; after taking over as head coach in 1975, he led the Evanston Wildcats to 26 conference titles, including 24 consecutive titles, from 1976 to 1999, as well as 5 IHSA State trophies; in 1983, he became the first African-American athletic director at ETHS, a position he held until his retirement from the teacher and athletic director positions in 2000; after his retirement, he continued to serve as an assistant coach at ETHS while participating in numerous church activities; and

WHEREAS, Willie May was inducted into the Indiana University Intercollegiate Athletics Hall of Fame in 2000, the Illinois Track and Cross Country Coaches Association Hall of Fame in 2007, and the Chicagoland Sports Hall of Fame in 2010; he was also named one of the most notable athletes in the history of Blue Island (Eisenhower) High School and is a member of the school's hall of fame; and

WHEREAS, As a child, Willie May attended Wheeler Chapel CME Church in Robbins, where he accepted Christ at an early age; he later became a devoted member of St. James AME Church in Chicago for over 30 years; at St. James, he served as the Head Usher of the Usher Board and a member of the church's Trustee Board; and

WHEREAS, Willie May is survived by his loving wife, Norma May; his daughters, Kristian May (Paul) Stewart and Karen May; his grandsons, Myles Stewart and Chase Stewart; his sister-in-law, Pearlene Cunningham; his brother-in-law, John Butler III; his aunt, Anna Weatherspoon; his uncles, James (Jean) Young, Dock (Charlotte) Young, and Isaac Eaves; his 2 nephews and one niece; and his many cousins, other family members, and friends; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-SEVENTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn, along with his family and friends, the passing of Willie L. May; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the family of Willie May as an expression of our sympathy.