Son of Billy Mays will 'be strong' for smiling salesman

June 28, 2:55 PMTampa Liberal ExaminerPatrick Flanary

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Billy Mays (center) with father, William, and son, William III

Billy Mays is no longer here. 

The infomercial icon, who flamboyantly showcased products like OxiClean and Orange Glo, died Sunday, according to Tampa police.

"I remember him as a very gracious person," says J. Pat Carrington, the minister who married Mays and wife Deborah in September 2002.  "He was very down to earth."

William Darrell Mays, Jr., who would have turned 51 next month, suffered a bump on his head during a landing at Tampa International Airport yesterday. 

Upon his return from Philadelphia, Mays had tweeted:  "Just had a close call landing in Tampa. The tires blew out upon landing. Stuck in the plane on the runway.  You can always count on US Air."

It was his humor that never failed to provoke reaction; Mays would often inflame "Pitchmen" co-host Anthony Sullivan during show tapings for the Discovery Channel.  The show airs Wednesdays at 10:00 p.m.  A recent episode featured Mays dangling from a pirate ship near St. Petersburg's Pier while demonstrating the strength of a new product.

Mays would joke about his "hard head" to television crews following the flight.  The Hillsborough County medical examiner attributes Mays' death to heart disease rather than a head injury.  Toxicology reports are expected to take several weeks.

Mays' wife, Deborah Wooley, told police she found Billy's body inside his Tampa home Sunday morning.  Police do not suspect a break-in or foul play. 

Carrington recalls Mays' respectful attitude while attending Generations Christian Church in New Port Richey.

"He was really easy to work with," the pastor told the Tampa Liberal Examiner Monday.

The enthusiastic pitchman had been working on a book deal in New York earlier this month.  He had just appeared on Tuesday's "Tonight Show with Conan O'Brien."  And Mays had been scheduled to undergo hip replacement surgery -- his third -- tomorrow, per his Twitter entry.

"He's gone. I'm gonna be strong for him. Thank you for all the thoughts and prayers everyone," Mays' 22-year-old son, Billy III, tweeted this morning.

"Billy Mays here!"  1958-2009