William Aubrey "Buck" Maxwell

Sylvania - William Aubrey “Buck” Maxwell, age 72, passed away on Sunday, August 17, 2014, at East Georgia Regional Medical Center in Statesboro, GA. He was born March 8, 1942, to the late Jesse and Audrey Hurst Maxwell in Grady County, Georgia. He graduated from Cairo High School and Georgia Southern University. He was a Master Trooper with the Georgia State Patrol, retiring after 35 years of service, during which time, he served as a Field Training Officer. He had a great love for flying and became a pilot when he was 16 years old. He was rated in MEI, CFI, Rotor, A & P Mechanic, Commercial and ATP. He was the flight line host for the Sun and Fun Fly-in at Lakeland, Florida annually. He owned and operated Maxwell Aviation, a crop-spraying business, for many years. His biggest joy in life was teaching others to fly which is reflected by his many students in the surrounding area. He also loved to grow a large garden, to fish and to travel. He was preceded in death by His Brother: Gordon Maxwell; Half-Brothers: Charles Bond and James Maxwell; Sister: Fonnie M. Norman.

Survivors: His Wife: Patsy Bentley Maxwell of Sylvania; Daughters and Son-In-Law: Monicca M. & Michael Bohannon of Statesboro, GA and Sabrina M. Johns of Claxton, GA; Step-Sons and Daughters-In-Law: Leslie & Gina NeSmith of Evans, GA and Jamie & Kimberly NeSmith of Ochlocknee, GA; Sisters: Lois M. Harrison and Gloria M. Hobby, both of Cairo, GA; Sisters-In-Law: Ruth Maxwell and Wilma Maxwell, both of Cairo, GA; Grandchildren: Emily Bohannon and Travis Bohannon, both of Statesboro, GA, Braxton Johns and Mason Johns, both of Claxton, GA; Step-Grandchildren: Kai NeSmith and Reed NeSmith, both of Evans, GA and Cole NeSmith of Ochlocknee, GA; Several Nieces and Nephews.

Visitation: Tuesday, August 19, 2014 at 5:00 PM until 6:00 PM at Double Heads Baptist Church in Screven County.

Funeral Services: Tuesday, August 19, 2014 at 6:00 P.M. at Double Heads Baptist Church with Rev. Terry Joyner officiating.

Additional Funeral Services: Wednesday, August 20, 2014 at 3:00 P.M. at Pine Level Baptist Church in Cairo, GA (Grady County) with Rev. Terry Joyner and Pastor Jim Weaver officiating. Burial following in the Maxwell Family Cemetery in Grady County. Visitation from 2:00 PM until 3:00 PM at the church prior to the service.

Pallbearers for both services: Members of the Georgia State Patrol Honor Guard. Honorary Pallbearers: Lynn Derriso, Charles Bennett, Billy McTeer, Gailyn Thompson, Tad Bentley, John Lacienski, Mike Bohannon, Earl Anderson, Kathy Harris, Keith Howard and the Pop’s Kitchen Coffee Club.

Thompson-Strickland-Waters Funeral Home of Sylvania is in charge of arrangements for retired Georgia State Patrol Master Trooper, William A. “Buck” Maxwell. www.thompsonstricklandwaters.com.