Billy Mays, TV Spokesman and general man of awesome, died in his sleep on June 28th at the age of 50 in his home in Odessa, Florida. The cause (as of posting) is not known, though it’s believed that he had heart disease. In a week that saw Ed McMahon, Farrah Fawcett and Michael fuckin’ Jackson all pass, there was something about Billy Mays that separated himself from those other names.

Not to take anything away from the tragedy fo their passings, but there was a certain level of disconnection that prevented many people from being overly remorseful. That wasn’t the case with Billy Mays. For whatever reason, people felt an almost friendly bond with the man. Maybe it was because he was coming into their homes and trying to sell them products that people wouldn’t buy in a thousand years, or maybe it was the fact that he had a hell of a sense of humor about himself.

…okay, let’s be honest, most of the people online didn’t love Billy until Jabo0ody Dubs started with his hilarious videos, as well as other dubs and remixes.

With Billy Mays’ passing, I can’t help but be reminded of an old episode of The Twilight Zone entitled “One for the Angels”. The episode revolves around a salesman who only wanted to make one last great “pitch for the angels” before the Grim Reaper took him to the afterlife.

If there is a Heaven, Billy Mays is up there hawking useless products right now. As well he should. Godspeed, you upbeat and jovial bastard.

Billy Mays
1958 – 2009

G4 Tribute Video

Popularity: unranked [?]