Walter May, ‘a mighty warrior for Eastern Kentucky,’ dies at 81

Walter May, who had an illustrious business in radio as well as serving as mayor of Pikeville and guiding the Pikeville Medical Center, died early Friday at his home in Pikeville. He was 81.

J.W. Call and Son Funeral Home in Pikeville confirmed May’s death Friday morning and will be handling arrangements.

May became a rock ‘n’ roll DJ in 1955 on WPKE-AM in Pikeville. He would go on to found East Kentucky Broadcasting, known as “The Voice of East Kentucky.”

He also was a former chairman of the National Association of Broadcasters and the Kentucky Broadcasters Association.

Besides being mayor of Pikeville from 1990 to 1993, May was former president and chief executive officer of the Pikeville Medical Center.

U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said in a statement, “The Pikeville community lost one of its towering figures with the passing of Walter May” and said May “established an enduring legacy of excellence and service.”

U.S. Rep. Hal Rogers, R-Somerset, called May “a mighty warrior for Eastern Kentucky. He built an empire in health care and broadcasting in the center of the coalfields to provide better opportunities for the mountains.”

Visitation for May will be from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday at First Baptist of Pikeville, 126 4th St. Funeral will be 2 p.m Saturday at the church. Burial will be in Johnson Memorial Park in Pikeville.