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William Maixner Obituary
Chapel Hill
William "Bill" Maixner, DDS, PhD, 68, of Chapel Hill, NC passed away Monday, November 2, 2020 with his family by his side. He was born in Ottumwa, Iowa and received his BS, PhD, and DDS from the University of Iowa. He was a true Hawkeye. He will be remembered as one of the leading world experts in chronic pain as a leader, educator, innovator, scientist, and mentor in his mission to improve the lives of those suffering with chronic pain, the "hidden epidemic" as he would call it. After his research fellowship at the National Institutes of Health, he spent 30 dedicated years at the University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill rising from Assistant Professor to the Mary Lily Kenan Flagler Bingham Distinguished University Professor. In his tenure at UNC, he served as co-director of the Oral and Maxillofacial Pain Program, Associate Dean for Academic Affairs in the School of Dentistry, and Director of the Center for Pain Research and Innovation. He joined Duke University in 2016 and was the Joannes H. Karis, MD, Professor of Anesthesiology, Director for the Center for Translational Pain Medicine at Duke University Medical Center, and Vice Chair for Research at Duke Anesthesiology. Among many career acknowledgments, he received the New York College of Dentistry Distinguished Scientist Award and the Wilbert E. Fordyce Clinical Investigator Award from the American Pain Society. In 2020, he was selected as a life-time Honorary Member from the International Association for the Study of Pain, the highest honor the organization can bestow on a member.
Most importantly, he loved his family and was a good friend and colleague to many. He enjoyed swimming, fishing, golf, and watching football with his family and friends. His favorite hobby was listening to music from his 50-year record collection which included his favorite artists, Bob Dylan, Eric Clapton, The Doors, The Byrds, Fleetwood Mac, Tina Turner, Creedence Clearwater Rival, and Roy Orbison.
He is survived by his wife of 37 years, Viravan Maixner; his oldest son, spouse and granddaughter, William David Maixner, Natalie Maixner, and Maren Violet Elizabeth Maixner; his youngest son, spouse, and granddaughter, Dylan Maixner, Lauren Maixner, and Anne Carlisle Maixner. He was the oldest of seven survived by his siblings, Ann Fisher, John Maixner, Jim Maixner, Paul Maixner, and Jean Maixner. He will be joining his youngest brother, Mark Maixner, and his parents, Dr. William "Bill" and Mrs. Elizabeth "Bette" Maixner, and his family dog, Bailey.
In support of his life-long mission, his family has asked donations to be made to the DREAM Campaign through the Department of Anesthesiology at Duke University in support of research through innovation grants. Memorial gifts can be made by calling 919-684-8524 or visiting https://anesthesiology.duke.edu and selecting the "Duke DREAM Campaign".
He would want all of us to know, "The answer, my friend, is blowin' in the wind."
The Maixner family is under the care of Hall-Wynne Funeral Service. Online condolences: www.hallwynne.com.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for William Maixner
Cynthia Humphrey
June 1, 2021
Bill was such an inspiration to me. I worked for him in the 1990s and he encouraged me to go to grad school. While in grad school he was on my thesis committee. He was an amazing person, an amazing teacher and just a great guy. I am so sorry to learn of his passing. I send many thoughts and prayers to his wonderful family.
Phil Taylor
December 14, 2020
I am very proud to say that I was a High School friend , college friend college roommate for two years and Bill was the best man in my wedding in 1977. What I remember most was his ever present smile and positive attitude. Bill was as fun loving as any of us but what made him stand out was his kindness and caring toward people. He was a steady and guiding force among his friends . And such a modest guy, he will be greatly missed by all and God bless Tdim and family.
DANIEL SCHMITT
November 7, 2020
I was a classmate at both OHS and at University of Iowa. So sorry to hear Bill's passing. I have many wonderful memories of our undergrad days at U of I. Bill was a great roommate and very caring person. He accomplished so much. My thoughts and prayers are with your family.
Cathy Johansen
November 7, 2020
So very sad to hear of Bill's passing. He was one of the nicest, kindest, most caring individuals I've ever had the pleasure of knowing. If not for Bill's tutoring, I'd still be at U of I trying to pass chemistry. Rest in peace, dear Fish. You'll be missed by the many lives you touched.
Alan Randich
November 6, 2020
Bill and I go back to his days in Iowa. His early ideas were so interesting they influenced me to change my own line of research to pursue his. Bill would take classes during the day for both his Phd and DDS and carry out research for those programs. At night, he would show up around 7 in my laboratory and we would work on his own novel interests on cardiovascular - pain regulatory system interactions. Around 11 pm, we would stop and go out for a beer and play a few games of pinball. Then he would carry on the same schedule the next day. How he carried out this rigorous schedule still amazes me.
He was the brightest individual I have ever known and yet was completely down to earth. Others may know the actual story but it was my understanding he had the highest score ever recorded on his comprehensive exams and went so far as to show how to derive the equations that were necessary to solve some of the questions. He enhanced my career path for which I can only thank him.
I was lucky enough to serve as his best man in his wedding and still cherish the memory of that event.
Over the years I didn’t maintain close contact with Bill except to follow his amazing career. When we spoke our conversation always returned to things we did together in Iowa. His loss is enormous in so many ways. It was just my privilege to know Bill and call him my friend.
Pete Curtis
November 6, 2020
A good, good friend from a long time back. R.I.P. Fish
Pete Curtis
November 6, 2020
Fish was one of my oldest and best friends. He would give you the shirt off his back if you needed it. Just a wonderful, kind, caring person. My deepest sympathy to his family.
stephen davis
November 6, 2020
so sorry to hear of Bill's passing. he was one of the nicest guys I knew in high school. best of luck to his family
Terri McBride-Buesing
November 6, 2020
I am so sorry for your loss. He was so much fun in a class I had with him in 9th grade and sat right in front of me. From his obituary, I am so glad he was happily married, with a family, and unbelievably successful in his career. Sounds like he definitely had a full life. Again, my deepest sympathy.
Sandy and Tim Anderson
November 5, 2020
I am so sad to hear the news of Bill’s passing. We have been friends since high school. He was such a kind and caring person. He would do anything for anyone. We send our deepest sympathy to Viravan and family.
Annette Lorntson
November 5, 2020
So very sorry for the loss in this family. Bill was a friend, classmate and inspiration to all who knew him.
Jan Thompson
November 5, 2020
One of the kindest friends, and one of the best humans. I am so glad we reconnected more recently to exchange words of friendship and life's joys. To your wonderful family, blessings and strength to move forward.
Kathy Light
November 5, 2020
Here is another photo of Bill with both of his boys (plus Aly and Claire) enjoying ice cream at the beach after swimming in the waves. What an amazing and rich time we all shared.
Kathy Light
November 5, 2020
When our kids were young, our family (the Lights) and the Maixners would rent a cottage at the beach together for our vacation. Sometimes we went to the mountains together. Bill loved spending time playing with all the kids in these happy places. Thim always made the most wonderful meals for us--my mouth is watering just thinking about them. Then Bill and Al would sit around after dinner and talk science. And more science. We were so lucky to have such a great friend and brilliant research colleague and to share all those happy family times together.
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