William's obituary
Bill or Max to those that knew him - was born on May 4, 1938 in Fort Worth, Texas to Robert (Bob) and Gretchen Maxwell. He grew up in High Island and Pasadena, Texas. He left Pasadena in 1955 to live with Father Charles Wyatt-Brown, an Episcopal priest in Beaumont, Texas for whom he served as an acolyte until he joined the Army.
Bill served 20 + years in the Army's 82nd Airborne. His first military assignment was to Camp Zama near Tokyo, Japan and it was there he met his wife of 58 years, Michiko Saito from Fukishima, Japan. He served in Korea and completed 2 tours in Vietnam. He was always in the boonies with the ARVN (Vietnam soldiers) and the only thing he requested when stationed in Vietnam was a gallon of Texas jalapenos.
Max loved to jump out of airplanes. He had over 3500 jumps, many HALO (high altitude low opening) jumps in Europe. Even at home or on leave, he would find a field or small plane to take him up. Bill was very highly regarded by the members of the VCorps LRRP Co (Abn) in Germany.
During his time in the Army he excelled in his education by obtaining his High School degree, a BS in Political Science and worked on his Masters in Ohio.
He was as rough, tough and as mean as they come for a military man, someone you would want by your side, but he was a real teddy bear with his kids, grandchildren and great grandchild. He fiercely loved his family.
After retiring from the Army he spent years driving 18 wheelers across the country. He loved seeing the US and Canada from his big truck. Michiko often took trips with him just to see the sights and friends.
Bill was a delight with a great southern drawl. He was scary smart (a plethora of useful and useless knowledge), funny, saw humor in every situation, always welcoming, and could make you laugh. He was always ready with a bad pun or joke. He was one of the kindest and non-judgemental people on the planet. He also knew every song from the 50's, 60's and 70's.
He is survived by his wife, Michiko (Saito) Maxwell; their two children - Teresa Maxwell of Houston, Texas and Christine Maxwell Hurt and her husband James (Joey) Hurt of Houston, Texas; his grandchildren - Michael Maxwell and Nicole Hodges, Jessica Rivera, Rikki Rivera, Taira Hurt, and Kirin Hurt of Houston, Texas; his great granchild - Madeline Maxwell of Houston, Texas; his siblings - Susan Maxwell of Seguin, Texas and David Maxwell and wife, Barbara of Pasadena, Texas.
He was loved by many and will be greatly missed.
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Memories & condolences
We played many a Trivial Pursuit game at Grandmother Gretchen's house with him on holidays. He knew the answer to ever…
We played many a Trivial Pursuit game at Grandmother Gretchen's house with him on holidays. He kne…
We played many a Trivial Pursuit game at Grandmother Gretchen's …
Bill was an amazing and unique character. He made holidays so much fun with his great sense of humor. He always sent th…
Bill was an amazing and unique character. He made holidays so much fun with his great sense of humo…
Bill was an amazing and unique character. He made holidays so mu…