Bill Maddex and I grew up a block and a half away from each other–Jewish children of academics growing up in the punk rock, californicated, drugged out, university town, post hippie enclave that was Eugene, Oregon in the eighties. Bill opened my eyes to a bunch of things. He was using email in ‘86. He mentioned bands like Husker Du and the Replacements before I ever heard of them in the media or from other kids. He couldn’t carry a tune to save his life, but he chose to follow a religious practice which required him to sing (or chant at least) on a frequent basis. A couple of the activities he was known for, densely reasoned argument and expert chess playing, are things we rarely did together (mostly because I was not good at either). It was more of a neighborhood thing, a community thing. An acknowledgment that we were a couple of fish swimming in the same pond, that we were preparing to splash out of it into some far away adulthood, not to anywhere better, just somewhere different.
Bill went his way, I went mine and we both bounced around quite a bit during our post high school years. The last time I saw him he was going to the University of Chicago. That was a long, long, time ago. In that intervening time he had gotten married, had a son, and had moved back to the West Coast.
He was diagnosed with cancer in mid May and his funeral was May 26 in Seattle. I heard about it from another neighborhood kid who was able to get to the ceremony. I am sorry he is gone. I want to extend my deepest sympathy to his wonderful family. Bill was good people. I will not forget him.
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5 responses so far ↓
Dahveed // Jun 6, 2007 at 11:41 pm
Well written, touching, and true.
Roxanne in Chicago // Jun 9, 2007 at 12:33 pm
Thank you for sharing your thoughts about Bill! When he moved to Chicago and was attending the U of C, is the time Billy Magic befriended me. He was an intellect, an incredibly kind spirit. He loved the Grateful Dead, which we shared. He took me home to Eugene several times, which expanded my world view and consciousness. We shared the same birthdate so he often included me in on the fabulous birthday feast he’d created! He was an incredible vegan chef. Bill was also a man of principle and faith, which shined through his gentle nature. My sympathies to his parents, sister, wife & son. God has called home one of the good ones way too early.
Stuart Rachels // Aug 8, 2007 at 3:44 pm
Thank you for your memories of Bill. I met Bill at a chess tournament in Chicago in 1986 and have remained friends with him ever since. He was a brilliant, lovable and certainly an odd and unforgettable character. The last email I got from him was on May 17—I am now shocked and saddended to learn how soon afterwards he died. The last words he wrote to me were, “Quite anemic still, despite all the blood they poured into me last week. The Oxy codone helps a ton, though. Bill” Bill was nice to everyone, including animals. He didn’t have a malicious bone in his body. What a great human being.
Leslie // Aug 14, 2007 at 9:30 pm
I just googled Bill’s name for some reason unkown to me, and is it true?? Learned of his death. This can only be Bill: he was a very distinctive person. Bill and I dated for a year and a half in Chicago. He was very dear to me, and I am shocked and saddened to hear that he is gone. I really loved him.
jonny goldstein // Aug 30, 2007 at 12:32 pm
I’m sorry you had to find out about it this way Leslie. He leaves a lot of good deeds and memories behind him.
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