William G. "Bill" Maxwell

William Gray (Bill) Maxwell, 73, went to be with his Lord and Savior on December 4, 2011 after a brief illness. Bill was a native Memphian and graduated from Central High (1956) and Northwest Community College and also attended Memphis State. He served in the Army and the Army Reserves for over 10 years. He married the love of his life, Patricia Parker (Patsy) in 1960 at Speedway Baptist Church. He worked all his life in construction, owning his own business for 19 years. He retired twice but always went back to what he loved. He was presently working in his son Jeff's construction business with his long time friend and business associate Lonnie Gibson, doing what he had done all his life, teaching, mentoring, encouraging and being a good example. He enjoyed reading and teaching the Bible; serving in his church, Community Bible Church where he was an elder; ballroom dancing with Pat and teaching ballroom dancing, in Germantown and also on the riverboats. He enjoyed traveling and cruising when time permitted. He had a lifelong passion for baseball and enjoyed playing in his youth and coaching after that. He taught baseball skills as he was demonstrating life skills. Another love of his life was working with young people as youth director at Whitehaven Baptist and First Baptist of Marked Tree, Arkansas. Bill's wit and sense of humor were an outstanding characteristic of his personality. He always saw the good in people and had the gifts of encouragement, giving and teaching, just to name a few. His priorities were God, Pat, family and friends, in that order. Although we rejoice that he is in the presence of the Lord he will be missed by everyone who ever knew him, especially his family who adored him. He was born to Emmett J. and Lavada Gray Maxwell here in Memphis and had one sister, Lorena Lawrence (Tim), Houston, Texas. He is survived by his wife of 51 years, Pat Parker Maxwell, and three children he was proud of and thought the world of: Whitney Morrison (Charlie); Jeff Maxwell (Shannon); and Doug Maxwell; and six grandchildren; Kristy Wallis, Katie Wallis, Monica Morrison, Olivia Morrison, Dylan Maxwell and Sean Maxwell; and four great grandchildren, Adalyn, James, Sabrina and Hannah.

Bill was not a member of many organizations but the one he enjoyed and was most proud of was the family of God. He joined this group when he was born again (gave his life to Jesus) in 1975 and he was an active member in good standing until he was promoted to heaven December 4, 2011. He counted it a joy and an honor to have gone on many mission trips around the world, sharing his love for Jesus, and enjoyed sharing with others all he experienced on these trips. He was currently serving on the board of the Shad Williams Evangelistic Association which he had supported for many years.

Funeral services will be at 10 a.m. Saturday, December 10 at Community Bible Church at Speedway Terrace, 601 N. Bellevue with private graveside services at Forest Hill Cemetery on S. Bellevue. There will be a time of visitation Friday night from 5 to 7 p.m. at Memphis Funeral Home Midtown on Poplar. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to Community Bible Church, 601 N. Bellevue, Memphis, TN 38107, or Shad Williams Evangelistic Association, P. O. Box 524, Adamsville, TN 38310.