A year later, Billy Mays' legacy lives on

TAMPA - It has been nearly a year since the iconic TV pitchman Billy Mays was found dead in his home in Tampa. Now, friends and family members continue the business of pitching products.

"It was an earthquake for the industry when Billy passed," said friend, former business partner, and fellow pitchman Anthony Sullivan. "Probably the greatest salesman that America has ever known has passed away."

Sullivan now works to fill Mays' shoes. FOX 13 cameras were behind the scenes recently for Sullivan's latest pitch, the Grill Glove.

"I can tell you right now -- the product I'm doing today, if Billy were here, he'd be doing it, not me," Sullivan stated.

Sullivan says Mays had undergone two hip surgeries, and in the final months of his life, Sullivan says Mays was working almost constantly. "And I would say, 'Billy, watch that pain medication, it's not good for you.'"

County medical examiners said tests showed cocaine in Mays' system. And, they said, cocaine contributed to the heart condition that killed him.

But the Mays family commissioned its own examination which found that cocaine was not a contributing factor in his death.

Sullivan says he never saw Mays use drugs other than prescriptions.

"I just think Billy may have pushed it too hard," Sullivan offered. "And his heart gave out. It's hard for me to talk about really. I wish he were here."

So does his son, Billy Mays III, or "B3" as he's known on the set. He works as a production assistant on Sullivan's commercials. They're close friends.

"I kind of look at Sully as an uncle in a way. He was in our lives and knew what was going on. From the day my dad died through the next couple of months, it was all me and Sully."

"I don't know whether he wants to get up and do the 'Hi, Billy Mays here.'  I think that's his dad's legacy," Sullivan said. "But I always tell him, if you ever want to get up and pitch, you're more than welcome; feel free."

For now, 23-year-old Mays III stays behind the camera, and helps Sullivan work to create product pitches.

"I think that's what we're all trying to do," added Sullivan, "Me, his son, and the whole crew keeps pitching."

LINK: Billy Mays III blog site - 'Where's Billy Mays?'
LINK: Discovery Channel's 'Pitchmen' - includes tribute videos