IRVING, Texas — On April 17, 1945, Laura and Billie Mays got married in the Oak Cliff living room of a Methodist preacher. The Irving couple just marked their 80th wedding anniversary after a life filled with faith, family and fun.

Both Laura and Billie were born in Greenville, Texas, and let Laura tell it, it was love at his very first sight! 

“We were at a church youth gathering and we were, I think, 13 years old,” he smiled. “She’s going to be it for the rest of my life. I made sure nobody else stepped in,” he laughed.

The couple grew up together, and dated for about five years before Laura recounted, “We were walking down the street and I said, ‘why don’t we just go get married?” 

Laura in a black dress with white trim and Billie in his Navy uniform, just before he shipped out from California. 

“Scared to death. This little girl had never been on a train or anywhere. I was a little country girl,” Laura remembered.

Laura ran a very successful business in Irving, which the couple has called home since the 1950s. She added, “I’m proud of him and we have fun together, and we just go everywhere together that we can and have a wonderful family. In fact, we have 3 wonderful children.” 

All of their children worked in the family business too.

“I think it’s 36 or 37 in our immediate family,” Billie said. “And everybody loves one another. You just don’t see that.” 

To commemorate their rare milestone, their whole family got together to celebrate. That is part of what the Mays tell WFAA is the secret to a loving and lasting marriage.

“Include your families in your life and don’t forget that you have wonderful families,” Laura smiled. “You’re just blessed that you have a man or a woman to be by you the rest of your life.” 

Billie shared his secret is that, “I never have left her out. I always include her in whatever we do, and she includes me.” 

Their final piece of advice came from their courting days. “She told me when we started dating… we’re going to study the Bible,” Billie said.

Looking back over old photos, Laura just smiled, “Oh I loved that man with all my heart.” She’s grateful for every moment in the 80 years she has called Billie her husband. 

“He’s just a good-hearted, loving guy and God was so good to give him to me,” she remarked. They are active members at Christ Church in Irving.

The Mays have three children, 14 grandchildren, and 16 great-grandchildren. The 98-year-old Laura and 99-year-old Billie can’t wait to welcome their first great-great-grandchild, too.