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Billy Mays Had More Than A Big Voice

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Jun 29, 2009 8:51 pm US/Central

Billy Mays Had More Than A Big Voice

PITTSBURGH (CBS) ― You may not have known his name, but you almost certainly knew the booming voice.

Billy Mays, the king of TV pitchmen, burst on the TV infomercial scene with Oxi Clean a decade ago. The Pennsylvania native said his career was a long time in the making, however.

"The journey has been an unbelievable one," Mays said. "Twenty-seven years. I started on the boardwalk in Atlantic City and I learned the tough way," he said.

Just one month ago, Mays told KDKA-TV he was at the top of his profession, living the good life in Florida with his wife, 22-year-old son and three-year-old daughter. But he said his heart belonged to Pittsburgh.

"I miss Pittsburgh so much you wouldn't believe it," Mays said.

Mays was born and bred in McKees Rocks where his mom still has a notary public office filled with pictures and newspaper articles praising her son, KDKA-TV reported.

"He probably was the one that was the biggest ham," she said last month.

Mays graduated from Sto-Rox in 1976 and was a high school football star, voted most valuable player and broke the record for tackles.

"What you saw on television was only half the story," said Randy Mays, Billy's brother. "Billy was as passionate in real life -- family life, work -- he exuded the passion that I've never seen before."

"Matchless, God broke the mold when he made my brother," he added.

Although we may remember Billy Mays with the big voice, his brother says his family will remember Billy Mays with the big heart.

"He had a heart. He loved his wife, he loves his children, he loves his mommy and his daddy, OK, but he loved McKees Rocks," he said.

Mays died Sunday. A medical examiner in Florida says Mays likely died of a heart attack in his sleep, but further tests are needed.

(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)

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