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William Haraden Maxwell, M.D.
1939 - 2023
William Haraden Maxwell, M.D.
1939 - 2023
Obituary
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William Maxwell, M.D. Obituary
William Haraden Maxwell, M.D.
February 16, 1939 - January 4, 2023
South Portland - William H. Maxwell - dedicated husband, father, grandfather, brother and friend - passed away at Maine Medical Center in Portland, Maine on January 4, 2023.
Bill was born to Irving and Florence Maxwell at their home on the Western Promenade of Portland on February 16, 1939.
Bill, an accomplished and capable student, was a graduate of The Gunnery School (Class of 1957), Middlebury College (Class of 1961), and Boston University Medical School (Class of 1966).
Bill’s medical residency was interrupted by the war in Vietnam. He served his country as a Captain in the Army Medical Corps at the Armed Forces Entrance and Examination Station in Beckley, West Virginia. He returned to Boston University to complete his residency in Otolaryngology in 1973.
Bill and Sally moved their young family from the surrounds of Boston to settle in South Portland, Maine and establish his ENT practice in Portland. His medical career spanned five decades.
In 1978, Bill teamed up with several fellow Maine physicians to establish the Medical Mutual Insurance Company of Maine. He served as the company’s CEO until 1998. During his twenty years with MMIC, Bill was deeply involved in the Physician Insurers Association of America, representing insurance companies owned and operated by physicians around the globe.
Bill is predeceased by his parents, Irving and Florence; sister Elizabeth and brother Richard.
Always at the center of his life, purpose, and attention was his family. He is survived by his wife Sally; son Larry (Charlotte), daughters Sally, Susan (Guy), and Anne (Adam); and his ten grandchildren - Hildy, Libby, Anthony, Eloise, Isabella, Maxwell, Liam, Cole, Ailsa, and Fletcher.
Bill is remembered as a dedicated physician, thoughtful businessman, creative innovator, and outdoorsman. His greatest love was spending time with his wife and children on the ski slopes of Sugarloaf, at the lakeside in Belgrade, or on the ocean Downeast. He was an avid birder and member of the Audubon Society from the age of 13. He participated in their Christmas Bird Counts for twenty years. He also enjoyed fly-fishing, gardening and was a recreational lobsterman.
Bill cared deeply for his neighbors and friends, always prioritizing their well-being. In lieu of flowers, he would have appreciated donations to The Opportunity Alliance (https://www.opportunityalliance.org) 50 Lydia Lane, South Portland, ME 04106.
A private family funeral service was held on Friday, January 6, 2023.
We look forward to gathering with friends and family to share memories of Bill during a memorial service in the Spring of 2023.
Arrangements entrusted to Hobbs Funeral Home, South Portland. Online condolences may be expressed at www.hobbsfuneralhome.com.
4 Entries
Ellen Whiting
January 10, 2023
I was so fortunate to have worked for Drs. Maxwell and Roediger in the mid 1970's as their personal assistant. They introduced me to a lifelong and rewarding career in medical education - which wasn't a recognized discipline then. I have fond memories of being part of their daily practice. I was the one who prepared those little blue index cards that they placed in their lab coat pockets to let them know the next day surgeries, meetings, office hours, conferences and more...long before PDA's! But, oh, what an amazing learning experience it was! I shall always think of Bill with a smile and deep gratitude. My condolences to family and friends. Ellen Whiting, Professor Emeritus, Department of Family and Community Medicine, Northeastern Ohio Medical University.
Rick Chandler
January 10, 2023
Bill Maxwell, a devoted family patriarch, physician extraordinaire, entrepreneur, mentor and a best friend, you will be so missed by so many of us.
My professional interaction with Bill began in the mid-70’s when we both began our respective practices at MMC, with Bill freely sharing his many ENT tricks of the trade with those of us in the newly formed MMC Emergency Department. His mentorship, collegiality and friendship to all was always spontaneous, genuine and unsolicited.
Betsie Maxwell’s words about Bill’s leadership at Medical Mutual ring so true. My nearly 10-year association with Medical Mutual during Bill’s tenure was indeed a unique time of growth, innovation and dedication by physicians and staff working together as one. Bill’s unique vision paved the path to many new opportunities which so contributed to the success of Medical Mutual. Bill treated everyone with respect and personally set the tone for the family-like values which permeated the company in its early formative years. Yes, Sally and Bill’s yearly Christmas Party did epitomize the sense of unity we all shared, but that spirit was reflected daily at Medical Mutual. It was a special and exciting time to be part of a new venture with all pulling together for a common cause, to make a successful young company even better.
In recent years, although both of us have retired from medical practice, Bill redirected his energies to new innovative health care initiatives, as always, a step ahead of most of us. At dinners and in Belgrade, with Sally’s patient support, Bill would propose new ways of improving health care with the energy and enthusiasm of a 30-year-old firebrand few of his peers could match. Bill never lost his passion for innovation and new ideas.
Sally, we all share the loss you and your family feel with Bill’s death as we all feel he is part of our own family. Phoebe and my children have all texted me about Bill as they all have so many wonderful memories with you both through special Medical Mutual encounters. The love, respect and gratitude for you both will be part of so many of us forever. Thank-you for sharing Bill with us all in such a special way, we can only try to imagine your loss.
Betsy Maxwell
January 9, 2023
Sally and family I am so saddened to hear of Dr. Maxwell’s passing. I worked at MMIC from 1994 to 2015 and, in 1997 till he left, as his executive asst. While he was at the helm, it was a joy working there. MMIC and its staff were like an extension of his family. He was fair, tough, and generous. Company Christmas parties at his home were my favorite. Sally was always so gracious in opening their home. I will forever be grateful for knowing him and he will most definitely be missed by many.
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