Bill put people first. I was a beneficiary of that mantra. Bill Maddux was my favorite boss. He coached me how to be a successful salesman. He always said, that what ever position he held, the word "sales" had to be included. I was employed by Bird & Son, as the East Bay Factory Representative. Bill had been recently promoted to Sales Manager, overseeing the Northern California District. Previously he had been the South Bay salesman.

I made the rounds of being introduced to the Secretarial Staff (Kathy Smith), the Plant Manager (John Fitzpatrick), the Quality Control Person (Bill Costa), Technical Consultant (Henry Koopman), the Shipping foreman (Lyle Greib), and the Vinyl Products sales manager (Phil Shea), who were at the Asphalt products plant in Martinez. Mr. Maddux showed me the ropes on the advantage of being in the same territory as the manufacturing facility was located. More importantly, he made himself available "twenty four seven." He was commuting from San Jose to Martinez with not the traffic that is along that route today, but it was still time consuming.

I could say that the two of us discovered various restaurants, bars, and hang outs together in the proximity of the roofing plant. I remember Paul's, Amato's, Cattleman's, Snooker Pete's, Black Angus, among others. We were selling products that were of great quality, were beneficial to the folks, and rode the almost monthly increase in manufacturing cost, as the main raw material asphalt which of course came from oil. It was a win, win for the Manufacturers, the Distributors, and the contractors.

I might be over simplifying our job, but it was past enjoyable. Bill made it fun.

Bill and Arlene settled in San Ramon when they left San Jose. Arlene took my wife under her wing, adored our children and the July 4th holiday was always at their dining room with all the fixins. Then we would trundle over to the Chevron Building (also in San Ramon) for the fire works. It gave Bill and I a chance to play Cribbage all day long. My family also moved to San Ramon, and Bill and I would find a pick up game of basketball in the neighborhood.

Our social times with the Maddux family included forays into San Francisco, Carmel, and of course the annual National Sales meetings in San Diego. We stayed in touch with Bill and Arlene for many years. Losing Arlene made for sad times in our family.

We were able to visit with Bill at the Assisted Living facility for several years, and yes we would head out to the Brass Door for drinks and food, while Bill was still able to "get away."

Bill was a Mentor to many us guys at U S Intec. I went out to work with him and meet his customers.  He picked me up about 5:30 am to beat the traffic. We would walk into the distributor's warehouse, do an inventory, and go to the key person to 'help them' place their orders + what Bill thought they would need for upcoming work. We picked up 6 nice orders from 6 distributors by 12:30.

Then it was time for  martinis and lunch. He took me back to my hotel and I took a great 2 hour nap.  

Hello I have been known Bill since our days in high school when my husband and I got to know Bill and Arlene. In fact, we had our first double date with the two of them. Over the years Bill and Arlene were some of the very best friends and I guess I am one of the few who is still left to write this little story.  The four of us went to so many dances together and oh how we love to dance !  Bill and Arlene were the best at jitter bug.  They were wonderful and had so much fun.

After my husband passed away in 2018, Bill and I called each other about three or four times a year and just had a little visit on the phone,

I met "Mr. Maddux" while working for Bird & Son, Inc. in the mid 70's.  Joyfully, I  met my future husband there as well.   Mr. Maddux soon became "Bill" and we enjoyed celebrating our wedding day with he and Arlene.  Over the years, Doug has always spoken so highly of Bill.  He is very grateful for all that Bill taught him and I share that same grateful sediment.   

 I have wonderful memories of Bill and our lives have been richer because of him, but what I remember most is his winning contagious smile, his concern for others and  the love  he had for  his family.  I am sorry for your loss of such a fine man.