William L. Maxwell, Sr.

PORTAGE – William L. Maxwell, Sr., age 88, of Portage, passed away on Saturday, December 21, 2024, at St. Agnes Hospital, in Fond du Lac.

Bill was born on August 21, 1936, in Sterling, IL, the son of Floyd L. and Beatrice (Brandt) Maxwell.  Bill graduated from Sterling High School in 1954.  He joined the Army and was in the paratroopers until he received an honorable discharge two years later, in 1956.  He attended North Central Bible College, in Minneapolis, MN, following his discharge.

He met Joan Weber in Bible school in 1957 and they were married on Friday, June 13, 1958.

Bill was a safety specialist for most of his working career, including at Badger Ordnance, Hallmark Insurance Co., and finally ending his insurance career with Grinnell Mutual Reinsurance Co. of Grinnell, IA after working there from 1991 through 2013.

He enjoyed insurance inspecting, and particularly with Grinnell, where he made many friends and enjoyed traveling throughout WI, MN, IL, and IA during the 21 years.

Following his retirement, he volunteered with the WI Concerns of Police Survivors and was a member of the first Citizen’s Police Academy, in Portage, and subsequently became Unit Leader.  He was especially interested in law enforcement because of their son, Richard.

He enjoyed fishing, working in his shop, and on their little farm.

He was thrilled and thankful to have lived to enjoy his four grandchildren and see them graduate from high school and pursue their careers.  They were a total joy to him!

He is survived by his wife, Joan; his son, Bill Maxwell, Jr. of Fort Atkinson; his daughter, Susan (Eric) Nelson of Randolph; his grandchildren, Megan Maxwell of Bakersfield, CA, Livian (William) Maia of Brazil, Kristian Richard Nelson of Randolph, and Emma Noelle Nelson of Milwaukee; great-granddaughters, Beatriz and Isabella Maia; and great-grandson, Levi Maia.  He is further survived by nieces, nephews, many friends, and a very special “adopted” daughter, Adriana (Dale) Braunschweig of Burnett, WI.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Floyd L. Maxwell in 1974 and Beatrice I. Maxwell in 1988, and by his beloved son, Richard Alan Maxwell, who was killed in the line of duty while an officer with the CA Highway Patrol on July 11,1994.  He was also preceded in death by three brothers, Glenn “Bud”, Donald, and Richard, and a brother-in-law, Donovan (Carol) Weber.

Funeral services will be at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, January 7, 2025, at Crosspoint Assembly of God  Church in Portage, with the Rev. Dr. Brent Johnson and the Rev. Scott Schroeder co-officiating.  Burial will follow in Silver Lake Cemetery, with full military honors provided by Portage Area Veterans Honor Guard.  Lunch to follow at the church.  Visitation will be from 9:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday at the church.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Wisconsin Concerns of Police Survivors, WI COPS, P. O. Box 1255, Fond du Lac, WI 54936.

Pflanz Mendrala Funeral Home in Portage is assisting the family.