William H. Maxwell, 88, of Natick, MA died peacefully on January 9, 2011 at Newton-Wellesley Hospital after a brief hospitalization. He was the husband of Selma Lee (Nix) Maxwell who died in 1992 and Jane (Ross) Maxwell who died in 1997. He is survived by his son William of Natick, daughter Bonnie Maxwell of Wilbraham, MA, son Robert and his wife Donna (Apostol) of Natick, daughter Shirley Woodward and her husband James Woodward of Berlin, MA, son Paul and his wife Jessica (Hawes) Maxwell of Natick, and numerous grandchildren and great grandchildren.
He was born in Melbourne, Australia while his parents, who performed in Vaudeville and throughout the world, were on tour. He was educated at MIT, Class of 1943, where he won the Golden Gloves for boxing, was also a gymnast, and received a B.S. in Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering. He was commissioned as Ensign in the U.S.N.R. in 1942 and also served in the Merchant Marines during WW II. He worked designing ships in California and then in his father’s business, Max Holden Magic Shops (Boston, NY City and Philadelphia). After 9 years with Marlow Pumps, he became an owner in 1962 at swimming pool products distributor Bicknell, Inc., building the business to 9 distribution locations throughout the Northeast before retiring in 1986. He enjoyed all sports, but especially hockey, snow and water skiing, and football. He was a coach and referee in the Natick Comets Youth Hockey program from 1959 into the 1970s, a founding contributor to the Bill Chase Arena in Natick, and he skied the mountains of New Hampshire and Vermont well into his late 70s. He also had a huge passion for boating and owned boats for most of his adult life. Based out of Kingman Yacht Center, he made frequent weekend trips in the waters around Cape Cod, Martha’s Vineyard and Nantucket.
Relatives and friends are invited to attend William’s funeral service on Saturday, January 15, 2011 at 11:00 A.M. in the First Congregational Church of Natick. Burial will be private.
Visiting hours in the John Everett and Sons Funeral Home, 4 Park Street at Natick Common, are Friday from 4:00 to 7:00 P.M.
Expressions of sympathy may be made in William’s memory to the Alzheimer’s Association, 311 Arsenal Street, Watertown, MA 02472.