William H. Maxwell

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Massachusetts Institute of Technology

William Maxwell Obituary

William H. Maxwell, 88, of Natick, Mass. 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, Mass., son Robert and his wife Donna (Apostol) of Natick, daughter Shirley Woodward and her husband James Woodward of Berlin, Mass., 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 fathers 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, Marthas Vineyard and Nantucket. Relatives and friends are invited to attend Williams funeral service on Saturday January 15 2011 at 11 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 4-7 p.m. Expressions of sympathy may be made in Williams memory the Alzheimer's Association, 311 Arsenal Street, Watertown, MA 02472. For directions or to send an online condolence please visit www.everettfuneral.com

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Published by The Natick Bulletin & Tab from Jan. 11 to Jan. 18, 2011.

Memories and Condolences
for William Maxwell

7 Entries

February 12, 2011

His passing is sad but easier, knowing that Bill lived a long and rich full life, loving, and loved by, his family, and his many friends and business associates. We will all miss him, and the quick smile. Mike Reagan

Lynn Thorsen Levasseur

January 17, 2011

Bob, Donna & Family

Thinking of you at this sad time. My condolences to all of you.

Lynn Thorsen Levasseur

January 14, 2011

Bob, Donna, and family,

Ginny and I send our condolences. Bill was truly one of the " good guys" of this world. I truly considered him my mentor. He was one of the pioneers of the pool industry, and it has become the industry it is today because of men like Bill. He will be missed.

John & Ginny Belcher

January 14, 2011

Dear Maxwell family, On behalf of the Fitzgerald boys formerly of 7 Fiske St, two of whom worked at Bicknell (Ken who helped do the move from Boston to Rt 30, and Paul, who worked for your dad for a much longer period on Rt 30) and most of us also played hockey on Dug Pond with the Maxwell family, as well as growing up together in "Natick Farms", in those good old days, we express our sincere condolences on the loss of your Dad. Ken Fitzgerald

Ken Fitzgerald of Plymouth, MA,

Katherine

January 13, 2011

Proverbs 16:31 relates: “Grayheadedness is a crown of beauty when it is found in the way of righteousness.” When loved ones die, family and friends are sad regardless of the long life they enjoyed. Our Heavenly Father, Jehovah, invites the bereaved to “throw your anxiety upon him because He cares for you.” He further promises at Matthew 5:4, “Happy are they that mourn, since they will be comforted.”

Bill Treene

January 12, 2011

Thoughts and warm wishes go out to Bill Maxwell's family and his friends.

We will all fondly remember Bill for his unique style and wit, and his devotion to his family and friends, both personal and business.I valued his friendship highly.

I knew, and respected, Bill mostly through our business relationship. His ethics and concern for the betterment of the industry always came first. Bright and creative, he made a difference, and left a clear mark on the quality of the pool industry in the northeast.

A very special person has left us, and we'll surely miss him, but the fond memories, and smiles, about the many good times will last.

Sincerely, Bill Treene

January 11, 2011

To Bobby & Donna, Bonnnie, and Bill Maxwell:

My hearfelt condolences to you. My thoughts and prayers are with you. Our families have been so close over all these years. Love to all of you.

Carl Rinehart
Centerville, Ohio

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