William H. Mays

William Herbert Mays, 81, of Hatboro, PA, passed away on July 8, 2018, at Abington-Jefferson Hospice, Warminster, PA, with his wife and daughter by his side.

He was born August 30, 1936, in West Reading to Thomas W. and Margaret (Mogel) Mays.

He was the husband of Geraldine L. (Rowlands) for nearly 60 years.

Bill is survived by two daughters: Valerie L. Schrandt , wife of Henry Schrandt of Newtown, Bucks Co.; and Cynthia L. Mays of Reading; and two granddaughters: Jennifer Schrandt of Long Island, NY; and Elizabeth Schrandt of Jersey City, NJ. Also surviving is a sister, Carol Ann, wife of Harry Rush of Onancock, VA; and two nieces.

Bill was a 1954 graduate of Wilson High School. He went on to Albright College, earning a B.S. in Chemistry in 1958. He later completed an M.B.A. at Temple University.

For more than 25 years, his career was in textile chemistry. He then took a new path and started a machine embroidery and screen printing company where he developed many of the designs himself. He sold the business and retired in 2006.

Bill was a Past Master of Argyle Lodge #540 F & AM, Chicora, PA, where he was a member for more than 50 years. He was also a 50 year member of Royal Arch Chapter #273, Butler, PA. Other affiliations were with Reading Consistory, Lulu Temple Shriners, and Lehman Memorial United Methodist Church.

Never one to be idle, he remained busy by visiting all 50 states and much of Canada, as well as parts of Europe, Australia, New Zealand, and South America. Bill also became his family's historian and spent many hours and miles trying to connect with distant cousins whose common ancestors came to eastern PA beginning in 1753.

He always enjoyed steam train rides, family gatherings, and spending time with friends old and new.

Finally, he fought the good fight, he finished the race, he kept the faith. Henceforth, there is reserved for him a crown of righteousness.

A funeral service will be held on Friday, July 13, 2018, at 12 Noon at Edward J. Kuhn Funeral Home, Inc., 739 Penn Ave., West Reading, PA 19611. Burial will follow at Sinking Spring Cemetery. A viewing will be held on Thursday, July 12, from 6-8 p.m. at Lehman Memorial Methodist Church, 300 S. York Rd., Hatboro, PA 19040, and on Friday, July 13, at 11:00 a.m. in the funeral home.

Contributions may be made in Bill's memory and mailed to the Mail Development Office of Shriners Hospital for Children- Philadelphia at: 3551 N. Broad St., Philadelphia, PA 19140. Online condolences may be recorded at www.kuhnfuneralhomes.com.