Feb. 16, 1930 May 21, 2026
Chief Warrant Officer II William Howard “Bill” Mayo, 96, of Boerne, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, May 21, 2026. Visitation will be held Sunday, May 31, 2026, from 5-7 p.m. at Holt & Holt Funeral Home. Funeral services will be held Monday, June 1, 2026, at noon at the funeral home, with committal to follow at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery. Bill was born on Feb. 16, 1930, in Battle Creek, Michigan to Howard and Lillian Irena Mayo. He was the third of four children and was raised on a farm near Battle Creek, where he attended a two-room schoolhouse from kindergarten through eighth grade. At just 14 years old, Bill purchased his first motorcycle, beginning a lifelong passion for riding. He graduated from high school in 1948 before enlisting in the Army Air Corps, later transferring to the United States Air Force.
During his distinguished 22year military career, Bill completed three tours in Germany and one in Vietnam. While stationed in Biloxi, he met Elizabeth “Jo” Kinley, who was also serving in the Air Force. After dating for two years, the couple married in the base chapel and began a devoted life together.
Following his retirement from military service, Bill and his family returned to Michigan, where he became head of Data Processing at Upjohn Corporation. Inspired by the education of those he supervised, Bill pursued higher education himself, attending classes at night and on weekends. Through determination and hard work, he earned a degree in Business Administration and graduated Magna Cum Laude.
Bill and Jo shared a love of travel and adventure. One memorable journey took them through seven European countries after purchasing BMW motorcycles directly from the factory in Germany. After Bill retired from Upjohn following 19 years of service, the couple sold everything and spent seven years traveling throughout the United States and Canada in their motorhome before eventually settling in Texas to be closer to family.
Even later in life, Bill continued to accomplish extraordinary feats. At the age of 75, he completed a remarkable 1,617-mile ride on his two-wheeled Honda Goldwing in less than 24 hours, earning the prestigious Bun Burner Gold 1500-mile award.
Bill was deeply involved in the Boerne community and faithfully served through numerous organizations and ministries. He was a member of First Baptist Church Boerne, St. John Lutheran Church in Boerne, the VFW, American Legion, Masonic Lodge, and the Shriners. He also volunteered for many years with the First Baptist Church AWANA Ministry and the Daily Bread Ministry.
Bill was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Jo Mayo; his brothers, Milo and Mason Mayo; his sister, Beverly; his son, William Mayo; and his daughter, Kim Priolo.
He is survived by his son, Patrick Mayo; daughter, Terese Chapman; his grandchildren, Michelle Mayo, Cori Olympio, Nathan Mayo, Rachel Snyder, Sarah Edmondson, and Leah Mayo; as well as eight great-grandchildren, Caroline, Gemma, Ophelia, Sebastian, Finn, Caleb, Ruby, and one on the way.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial contributions be made in Bill’s honor to the Tunnel to Towers Foundation at https://t2t.org/.
Arrangements are under the compassionate care and expert direction of the staff of Holt & Holt Funeral Home of Boerne. To share words of comfort with the family, please visit www.holtfh. com.
— PAID OBITUARY —
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