William 'Bill' E. Maxwell

Danville William "Bill" Earl Maxwell, 85, of Danville passed away at 11:55 PM on April 10, 2020 at OSF Sacred Heart Medical Center in Danville, IL.

There are more facts about Bills life at the end of this article, but first wed like to tell you a bit about the man, what kind of life he lived and how he loved his family and friends.

Dad loved to tell stories about his years growing up on the farm in the 30s and 40s. He could tell the entire process of slaughtering a hog, how to plant tobacco, of plowing fields with a horse and mule team, or hooking up a flashlight bulb to a used-up radio battery so hed have an electric light in his room before electricity came to their house.

We think dad would want to be remembered for how much he loved his family. Weve never known anyone more devoted to his wife. He was very proud of his boys and grandkids accomplishments, never missing a high school or college graduation.

Dad was always fun to watch with his grandkids. When they were little, he liked to tell them, "Ahm gonna chew them ears off!" resulting in hands clamped over their ears and squeals of delight.

Dad taught us all how to manage our finances and earn our own money. He showed us how to fix and maintain our own cars, including our cousin Cathy who lived with us for a time, telling her he didnt have time to do it and she didnt have the money to pay someone to do it for her. This too was an act of love, to help us be responsible, successful adults.

Dad was a Christian man who took his faith seriously, raising up his family in the church, resulting in generations of godly men and women, demonstrating the truth of the Proverb, "Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it."

Dad loved camping, hiking, traveling across the country, watching Gunsmoke, and of course spending time with family. He didnt really care much for fishing, but he went anyway if it meant spending time with a family member or friend. His favorite recreational activity was riding motorcycle, especially with family and friends.

Dad had a unique blend of country charm and business smarts. Despite lack of a college degree, he was very good with bookkeeping and managing the ESCO Credit Union, bringing it from a small one-desk office operation to having its own facility. He was very involved in the Credit Union National Association and saw the ESCO Credit Union grow into Danville Consolidated Credit Union, which eventually merged into todays Landmark Credit Union. As a manager, Dad was ahead of the times in hiring and promoting women in the workplace. Most of the credit union employees were women and his successor as manager was a woman.

These are memories that stand out to us, now looking back at a life completed. If you knew Bill, we hope you enjoyed a smile and a nod along with us. Following are more of the details to sum up his life.

Bill was born on December 19, 1934 in Auburn, KY the son of Earl and Mary Ann (Barrow) Maxwell. He married Rebecca Gregory on August 29, 1954 and she survives of Danville.

Survivors include his wife, Rebecca Maxwell of Danville, IL, two sons, Darrell (Jeannie) Maxwell of Joplin, MO, and Mark (Phyllis) Maxwell of Hazelwood, MO, one daughter-in-law, Kim Maxwell of Salem, OR two brothers, Bobbie Maxwell of Georgetown, IL and Glenn (Sue) Maxwell of Oakwood, IL, one sister, Brenda Stamps of Auburn, KY, one special niece, Cathy Ross of Danville, IL, as well as grandchildren, Sara (Tom) Fox, Bryan Maxwell, Gregory (Holly) Maxwell, Christy (Randy) Zink, Amy (David) Allee, Charlotte (Jason) Williams, Andrew (Andrea) Maxwell, Marie (Nathan) Smith, Emily (Mitch) Doria and Joshua Maxwell, and great-grandchildren, Lincoln and Evy Fox, Jack Maxwell, Hunter, Cadence, Logan, Jacob, Grace, Allison, Bryce, and Colton Maxwell, Emily, Elizabeth, and Savannah Allee, Ethan Wyble, Alexis, and Kaitlyn Williams, Abigail Zink, and Isla Smith.

Bill is preceded in death by his parents, his stepmother, Louise Cropper Maxwell, and one son, Dale Maxwell.

Bill was a member of the First Church of the Nazarene. He was a graduate of Chandlers Chapel High School and worked at ESCO Corporation for over 41 years. Bill also worked at the ESCO Credit Union and served as the Treasurer and Manager.

A Private Family Celebration of Life will be held at 1:00 PM on Wednesday, April 15, 2020 at Sunset Funeral Home and Cremation Center in Danville, Illinois, 3940 N Vermilion St. Danville, Illinois 61834. Pastor Dave Anderson will officiate. Burial will be in Allhands Cemetery. Private family visitation will be held on Wednesday, April 15, 2020 from Noon until 1:00 PM at the funeral home.

Memorials may be made in his memory to the First Church of the Nazarene.

Please join Bills family in sharing memories, photos, and videos on his Tribute Wall as well as viewing the Celebration of Life link at www.sunsetfuneralhome.com .