William Eugene "Bill" Maxwell
December 26, 1937 ~ April 14, 2020
William Eugene "Bill" Maxwell, 82, of Jefferson City, died Tuesday, April 14, 2020, at Adams Street Place.
He was born on December 26, 1937, in Longview, Texas, the son of the late William Maddox Maxwell and Macie Louise Gregory Maxwell.
Bill was reared by his maternal grandparents, Alfred and Macie Gregory and his uncle, Douglas Gregory.
He was a 1956 graduate of Longview High School and a 1960 graduate of Texas A&M University.
He was married on July 14, 1962, in the Longview First Methodist Church to Ann McEachern who survives at the home.
Upon graduation from college, Bill began a thirty-three year career with Sears, Roebuck & Company. He was transferred many times throughout Texas, New Mexico, Colorado, Nebraska, and finally to Missouri. In 1977 he was transferred to Jefferson City to open the new Sears store in the Capital Mall where he served as manager until his retirement in 1993.
Bill served his community and church in many areas of responsibility. He was a member and Paul Harris Fellow of the Jefferson City West Rotary Club; president of the Missouri Retailers Association; president of the former Memorial Hospital Board of Trustees; chairman of the board of Memorial Hospital Foundation; member of the Executive Committee of the Jefferson City Area Chamber of Commerce; chairman of the Jefferson City Area United Way; committee chairman and assistant Scoutmaster for Troop 1 of the Boy Scouts of America; member of the Lincoln University Advisory Board; and an active member of First United Methodist Church where he served in numerous capacities and was a member of the Odyssey Class.
He was a kind and generous person who always placed the needs of others before his own.
Other survivors include two children, William E. "Bill," (Janet) Maxwell, Jr., Odenton, Maryland; and Mary Ann (Brad) Daugherty, Columbia, Missouri; four grandchildren, Matthew Maxwell, Maryland; William "Trey" (Julia) Maxwell, III, Severn, Maryland; Kristi (Michael) Malloy, Olathe, Kansas; and Kelli Daugherty, Columbia, Missouri; and a brother-in-law, Bob McEachern, Waco, Texas.
A celebration of his life will be conducted Saturday, July 25, 2020, at First United Methodist Church. Visitation will be 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the church followed by a memorial service at 12 p.m. with Rev. Trevor Dancer officiating.
The service will be live streamed for those who wish to watch from home. The link can be found on Bill’s obituary page at www.dulletrimble.com.
Private family burial services will be in Riverview Cemetery.
Those wishing, may make memorial contributions to First United Methodist Church, 201 Monroe Street, Jefferson City, MO 65101; or Common Ground Community Center, 1015 East Atchison Street, Jefferson City, MO 65101.
Dulle-Trimble Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Those wishing to send condolences to the family may do so at the www.dulletrimble.com website.
He was born on December 26, 1937, in Longview, Texas, the son of the late William Maddox Maxwell and Macie Louise Gregory Maxwell.
Bill was reared by his maternal grandparents, Alfred and Macie Gregory and his uncle, Douglas Gregory.
He was a 1956 graduate of Longview High School and a 1960 graduate of Texas A&M University.
He was married on July 14, 1962, in the Longview First Methodist Church to Ann McEachern who survives at the home.
Upon graduation from college, Bill began a thirty-three year career with Sears, Roebuck & Company. He was transferred many times throughout Texas, New Mexico, Colorado, Nebraska, and finally to Missouri. In 1977 he was transferred to Jefferson City to open the new Sears store in the Capital Mall where he served as manager until his retirement in 1993.
Bill served his community and church in many areas of responsibility. He was a member and Paul Harris Fellow of the Jefferson City West Rotary Club; president of the Missouri Retailers Association; president of the former Memorial Hospital Board of Trustees; chairman of the board of Memorial Hospital Foundation; member of the Executive Committee of the Jefferson City Area Chamber of Commerce; chairman of the Jefferson City Area United Way; committee chairman and assistant Scoutmaster for Troop 1 of the Boy Scouts of America; member of the Lincoln University Advisory Board; and an active member of First United Methodist Church where he served in numerous capacities and was a member of the Odyssey Class.
He was a kind and generous person who always placed the needs of others before his own.
Other survivors include two children, William E. "Bill," (Janet) Maxwell, Jr., Odenton, Maryland; and Mary Ann (Brad) Daugherty, Columbia, Missouri; four grandchildren, Matthew Maxwell, Maryland; William "Trey" (Julia) Maxwell, III, Severn, Maryland; Kristi (Michael) Malloy, Olathe, Kansas; and Kelli Daugherty, Columbia, Missouri; and a brother-in-law, Bob McEachern, Waco, Texas.
A celebration of his life will be conducted Saturday, July 25, 2020, at First United Methodist Church. Visitation will be 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the church followed by a memorial service at 12 p.m. with Rev. Trevor Dancer officiating.
The service will be live streamed for those who wish to watch from home. The link can be found on Bill’s obituary page at www.dulletrimble.com.
Private family burial services will be in Riverview Cemetery.
Those wishing, may make memorial contributions to First United Methodist Church, 201 Monroe Street, Jefferson City, MO 65101; or Common Ground Community Center, 1015 East Atchison Street, Jefferson City, MO 65101.
Dulle-Trimble Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Those wishing to send condolences to the family may do so at the www.dulletrimble.com website.
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Ann, Bill, MaryAnn: I’m so saddened by the loss of Bill. As neighbors for about 40 years I have had the utmost Respect for Bill. Such a Kind, Loving man with a BIG HEART! I always enjoyed talking to Bill as well. My parent felt the same. I have the ENTIRE extending Maxwell family in my thoughts and prayers. May each of you be Blessed knowing that Bill his home with his Father in Heaven.
Lit a candle in memory of William Eugene “Bill” Maxwell
Lit a candle in memory of William Eugene “Bill” Maxwell
Lit a candle in memory of William Eugene “Bill” Maxwell
Ann, Bill, MaryAnn, I am so sorry to learn of Bill’s passing. Bill was very influential in my life as not only a mentor but also a friend. As an inexperienced 26 yr old who had only been in sales and never had a minute of management training, Bill took a chance and hired me to become part of his management team. I learned so much about business and also life from him. In my mind he will always be larger than life, a Texan through and through with an unlit cigar always present. He was patient and stern at the same time, leading by example and still allowing me to make my own decisions. I remember him as the store general manager, with the term General more representative of the military definition. I was glad to be part of his team at the highlight of his career when we were chosen to be a prototype store for the the co. This experiment culminated with an all day visit/inspection by the CEO Ed Brennan and other co. officers at a time when he and his brother who ran Montgomery Wards were in the headlines due to speculation about the 2 merging. Bill had his 30th anniversary with the co. during this time and I was there when Mr. Brennan personally congratulated him and pinned his 30 yr pin to his suit. What a milestone! Bill also influenced me in my personal life and introduced me to fishing from a bass boat. Well, it wasn’t long before I bought my own Ranger boat and to this day I still own one and go out regularly, I can’t imagine life without it. I enjoyed talking with Bill about Bill Jr.’s career with the government, he was very proud of him as well as MaryAnn and her life in Columbia. Bill’s involvement in the Missouri Retailer’s association and being on the board of the hospital were also always impressive to me. I never knew anyone before or after so connected within a community. I remember attending his 60th birthday and felt honored that your family thought enough of me to invite me to such a special occasion. Even after leaving Sears and Jefferson City, Bill was one of the few I stayed in touch with just to visit with although we did not have much contact in the last few years. A few months ago I picked up my phone and tried to reach out to Bill just to catch up on things but unfortunately only got voicemail so I left a message. I hope he heard it. I was unaware of his health problems. And Ann, thank you so much for including me on your mailing list for the family Christmas letter. So, I just turned 60, hard to believe 34 yrs ago I first met Bill but I just wanted to let you know how significantly Bill touched my life. I wish you all my most heartfelt condolences.
Thank you, Steve, for your wonderful message. I appreciate all the kind thoughts you expressed about Bill. He definitely considered you a friend. I hope you received the card I sent you about his passing. I reached out to his special Sears friends to let them know about his death. I am just now finding your message.
Bill was a Rotarian’s Rotarian. He set the bar for attendance. Bill was always a most congenial gentleman. Rest In Peace dear and faithful friend! Alan Mudd, Rotary West.
When we would have our Chili Day/Bazaar at the FUMCJC, I always worked in the pie room. Bill would always come in the pie room and request pecan pie made by Dee Dee Shelton. We would happily put Bill’s pecan pie serving on the reserve table. But every year we always save Bill’s a piece of Dee Dee’s pie. We loved Bill Maxwell and we sadly miss our friend. Condolences to Ann and her family.
Ann, condolences to you and all the kids. Bill & I became friends 50 years ago when working for Sears in Roswell, NM. With Bill we always worked hard and played hard with lots of 10-12 hour days. It was always worth it as we got good reports over the years. It with great sorry that we acknowledge Bill’s home going. May he rest in peace.
Thank you, Tom. I appreciate your thoughtful remarks. Our family remembers with love and affection yours and Peggy’s friendship. We had some fun times both in New Mexico and Colorado. Those were the days!
With deepest sympathy, David and Mari Malloy and family, Carolyn Collings and family
Mary Ann, I appreciated the video all about your dad’s life. I did not realize he liked fishing and cigars so much! A side of him I didn’t know, but it made me grin, because he clearly enjoyed himself a lot! Also the Oddessy group apparently have fantastic parties! 🙂 A great trip down memory lane. A beautiful way to honor your dad. He was a great man, and I’m sure he’s been chatting with my dad in heaven, swapping Sears stories. Love you all! Julie Kern Bogner
Thank you, Shirley, for your kind remarks. Yes, I guess Bill will always be remembered for his love of Dee Dee’s pecan pies. She always made sure he had a piece and actually made him a whole one to take home when he wasn’t able to be there. We love our church friends!
Thank you, Alan,for your kind words. I appreciated your coming to his service He was indeed, a big supporter of Rotary and was proud to be a member of Rotary West.