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Family Friend: Billy Mays Was 'Full Of Life'

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Jun 29, 2009 7:31 pm US/Eastern

Family Friend: Billy Mays Was 'Full Of Life'

MCKEES ROCKS (KDKA) ― Billy Mays was his own best advertisement for high energy and well being.

The 50-year-old had perfect pitch when it came to infomercials, shilling with a pizzazz that might make P.T. Barnum blush.

But in his old neighborhood at the corner of Broadway and Valley Street in "The Rocks," he was just a great kid who made good.

"Billy was full of life - just so pleasant all the time and very kind … was very good to his mother and she loved him so much," says long time family friend Joyce Pecorelli.

Pecorelli and Billy Mays' mom, also named Joyce, have been close friends most of their lives.

Their kids played together.

"She's probably just devastated - I just can't even imagine what she's going through," she said.

Word of his sudden death has shaken her too.

"I just had so many bad chills yesterday and shaken - by the time I called everybody we were just all in shock."

Joyce knew that Billy was scheduled to have a second hip replacement surgery on Monday but knew of no other health problems.

"And Joyce had planned to go and be with him for the operation," she said.

The two moms also loved taking trips to Atlantic City and it was there they first saw Billy Mays refining his craft on the boardwalk.

"Energy - he had so much energy - he was just - you could buy anything from him - he could talk you into anything - he was great!"

Billy Mays will come home this Thursday. Visitation will be at the Musmanno Funeral Home in McKees Rocks from 1 p.m. until 8 p.m.

The funeral will be held at 9:30 a.m. on Friday, but the church has not yet been determined. The burial will be private.

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

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