William Sloan Mayo, 76, of Stockbridge, formerly of Alexandria, Va., where he lived for 32 years, died Wednesday July 15, 2015 at Fairview Commons Nursing and Rehab Center in Great Barrington.
Bill was born on July 31, 1938 in Brooklyn, N.Y., son of John and Mary Wendenroth Mayo. He lived in Pennsylvania and New York before moving as a young child to Massachusetts. The family settled in Stockbridge. Bill was a graduate of the former Williams High School class of 1956. He went to Boston University under the ROTC program and received a bachelor’s degree in Political Science and Psychology. He earned a master’s degree in Political Science from the University of Arkansas and a master’s degree in Political Science and Public Administraiton from Texas Christian University.
Bill proudly served his country in the United States Air Force during Vietnam. He had assignments in Japan, Taiwan, Vietnam, Germany, Florida, Texas and Colorado. He retired from the Air Force in 1988 as a lieutenant colonel. He received the Air Force Commendation Medal and two Joint Service Meritorious Service Medals. He went to work at the Pentagon in Washington, D.C., for fifteen years. While there, he worked as a Political Analyst in the Defense Intelligence Agency. During active duty and as a civilian he traveled to 63 counties at this time.
Bill was involved in his community as a volunteer at Hospice of Northern Virginia as a care giver. He volunteered at St. Ann’s Infant Home in Washington, D.C., caring for children with special needs and those he said “needed love.” He volunteered at Carpenter’s Shelter in Alexandria, Va., for homeless men in need. He was an active member of Blessed Sacrament Catholic Community in Alexandria where he was a member of the Folk Choir and also served as a lector. In 1988 he joined the Catholic Saturday Morning Men’s Meeting Group.
Bill is survived by his sister, Sue Bonak, and her husband Chester of Stockbridge, one niece, Susan Bonak Rabbitt and husband Christopher of Fiskdale, Mass., and two nephews, Michael Bonak of Stockbridge and Simon Rabbitt of Fiskdale. He leaves cousins, Barry Colassord and his wife Patricia of Woodbridge, Va., John Connolly of Rockville Center, N.Y., and Sielia Lecker of Santa Clara, Calif. He was predeceased by his parents and several aunts, uncles and cousins.
In keeping with Bill’s wishes all services were private. BIRCHES-ROY FUNERAL HOME, 33 South St., Great Barrington, Mass. 01230, is entrusted with arrangements. Condolences may be made through birchesroyfuneralservices.com.
