William "Bill" Duval Madden

Bill Madden, age 65, died peacefully on September 20th after a difficult and unexpected battle with pancreatic cancer. Born March 21, 1957 in Dallas, Texas to Jim and Margaret Madden, Bill was raised with his four boisterous siblings in Maitland, Florida on the west shore of Lake Minnehaha.

In this loving and energetic household, Jim and Margaret planted the seeds of integrity, generosity, connection, and grit, values that would later become pillars of Bill's adult life. It was also here, on and under the family dock on Lake Minnehaha, that Bill began his lifelong passion for the natural world, never tiring of the flight of a seagull, the plunge of a brown pelican, or the swirl of a bread ball among darting bream.

Bill attended high school at Trinity Prep in central Florida, graduating in 1975 following three years of athletic excellence on the baseball diamond and the soccer field. An indefatigable center-midfielder, Bill played a key role on Trinity's varsity soccer team, a squad that competed in the Florida state championships and which later visited England and Holland for a 13-game summer tour. Bill's European experience was especially impactful, sparking a lifelong interest in foreign travel, a love for global soccer, and dedication close to home as a Portland Timbers fan.

Bill earned his undergraduate degree in Finance from Florida State University in 1979, an institution he never lost interest in supporting or promoting. Ever alert for opportunities to enrich his college experience, Bill moved to St. Croix USVI to tend bar for a term, and it was here that he learned his signature swish-swash reggae moves.

He began his career with Martin Marietta in Orlando, Florida, but it didn't take long for Bill to realize he had the qualities of a rhinoceros - thick skin and a tendency to charge - better suited for entrepreneurial pursuits than for more traditional occupations. Rhino Bill founded Madden & Associates soon thereafter, an independent sales organization representing major industry print publications, and the company is still charging ahead today under the leadership of his son, Bryce.

Bill eventually moved to the Pacific Northwest - first to Gig Harbor, Washington and later to Portland, Oregon - where he and Kathy raised their three beautiful children. Bill embraced his love for the outdoors through windsurfing, fly fishing, stand-up paddling, e-biking, and camping. He would rarely be seen without his truck loaded with gear, and he was always ready for an adventure. He brought a spark of optimism and a zest for life to everything he did, and his unending energy was contagious to those fortunate enough to spend time with him.

Bill is survived by his son Bryce Madden of Wilsonville, Oregon; daughter Taylor Madden of Sherwood, Oregon; brothers Jim (Debbie) Madden of Melbourne Beach, Florida and Charlie (Carolyn) Madden of Boca Grande, Florida; sisters Katherine Coleman (Ray) of Raleigh, North Carolina and Liz Blackwell (Stuart) of Boise, Idaho; numerous nephews and nieces; loving partner Valerie Impson of Portland, Oregon; and ex-wife Kathy Madden of Sherwood, Oregon. He was predeceased by his parents, Jim and Margaret Madden, and his daughter, Leah.

The family will hold private memorials during which Bill's ashes will be joined with those of his late daughter Leah and spread at several of his favorite locations including Little Gasparilla Pass near Boca Grande, the Klickitat River, and Lake Minnehaha off the dock of Bill's childhood home.

The family will host two informal public gatherings for friends to get together, share stories, and raise a glass in remembrance of Bill. The west coast event will be held from 1pm - 3pm on Saturday, October 29, 2022 at Loyal Legion at 710 SE 6th Ave in Portland, Oregon. The east coast event will be held from 4pm - 6pm on Saturday, November 5, 2022 at the home of Cliff and Mari Parsons at 625 E Chapman Rd in Oviedo, Florida.

In lieu of flowers, those who desire may make memorial contributions to Pancreatic Cancer Action Network (http://support.pancan.org/goto/Bill_Madden), Captains For Clean Water (http://captainsforcleanwater.org), or The Nature Conservancy (http://nature.org).