To Deborah Mays: I write to express my sincere condolences for your loss. I also want to share with you about an encounter that I had with your husband last September. I was returning home, on the last leg of a long journey from Europe to Tampa. Billy was returning home from New York to Tampa via Newark Airport. I think he was in a meeting for his upcoming new reality show on Discovery channel, but I cannot say for sure. He was the last one to board and was seated next to me. We introduced ourselves and sat back for what turned out to be a most interesting conversation. It opened with his showing me a couple of nice watches that he had just purchased, but quickly evolved into much more. Like literally millions of other people, I knew who Billy Mays the professional was from television. But of course, I did not (and do not) know the real man. However, he gave me glimpses into what was really important to him. While we touched on an array of topics, what he lit up about the most was you and your daughter. He shared with me the excitement he felt about building a new home for the three of you in Greenville-Spartanburg, SC. What I want to convey to you overall is his expressed love for you. I am a 50-something fellow, so perhaps he felt I could relate. At the end of our journey, Billy gave me his card and told me to write or call “if I ever needed anything. I sincerely believe he meant it. There were times that I was tempted to write him this past year, but only to say hello and to satisfy my curiosity as to how the home was coming along, whether he ever investigated StrengthsFinder 2.0, and whether he still liked the Sprite-orange juice combination that he tried at my suggestion. I opted not to write because I figured his private world was encroached enough and the very thing I liked most about him was that he treasured the private world of the three of you. Deborah – I wish you peace in understanding, knowing that you were both loved by Billy. Kind regards, Mark Hanigan

Posted by: Mark Hanigan Palm Harbor, FL   July 19, 2009

I could tell he was a wonderful man just by watching him...Our thoughts and prayers are with your family.

Posted by: K. Evans Conyers, GA   July 05, 2009

Your voice carried explosive decibels which had me covering my ears.... but I heard you were a very generous person with a huge heart. God Bless Billy

Posted by: Richelle Buena Park, CA   July 03, 2009