Mr. Willie Lee Maxwell

Mr. Willie Lee Maxwell was born on February 22, 1922, in Coosa County, Alabama to the late Lesley Maxwell and the late Mamie Belle McGhee Maxwell. After his mother passed away he was reared by his grandmother, Hattie McGhee.  While living with Mama Hattie he helped her on the farm, joined the New Elam Missionary Baptist Church as a young boy and attended the Keyno School.

On May 11, 1946 Willie Lee married Josie Mae Thomas of Coosa County, Alabama, and to this union two children were born.

In 1943 at the age of 21, Willie Lee enlisted in the U.S. Army, where he served for nine years and five months during WWII and the Korean War as a member of the 9th Infantry Second (Indianhead) Division, various duties included infantry, construction laborer and veterinarian technician, while in the Army Willie Lee’s duty stations included Oahu, Hawaii, Sasebo, Japan, Philippines and Pusan, Korea. Private First Class, Willie Lee Maxwell was the recipient of many medals including a Purple Heart for wounds received in the Korean War and the Ambassador for Peace Medal he received on November 16, 2018 from the Consul General of the Republic of Korea. After returning from military service he worked at a local poultry farm, Becthal Pipe Line, and the Ray Water Company installing water lines in Coosa County.

Willie Lee was a faithful member of the New Elam Usher Board, supported the Missionary Society and their activities until his health failed, and also played a major role in New Elam starting their cemetery.  He was a member of the founding group for American Legion Post 339, a Life Member Military Order of the Purple Heart and the Disabled Veterans Association. Willie Lee enjoyed traveling and was excited to receive a signed letter and photo from President Obama on his 94th birthday.

Willie Lee loved his family, which included a large number of cousins that treated him more like an uncle and grandfather instead of a cousin. His Kelley and Maxwell family members spoiled him.

Our Heavenly Father closed the eyes of our loved one, Mr. Willie Lee Maxwell, on February 6, 2020 before sunrise at Jackson Hospital in Montgomery, Alabama.  He was preceded in death by his wife, Josie Mae Thomas Maxwell.

He leaves to cherish his memory his son Willie A. Maxwell, daughter Mamie (Melvin) Ellis both of Ray Community in Coosa County, Alabama.  Four Grandchildren: Pamela Gaddis of Alexander City, Alabama, Shanee Newsome of Bangkok, Thailand, Sharice (Erik) Wright, of New York, Derrick Maxwell, of Georgia. Four Great Grandchildren: Quintavius Gaddis, Alexander City, Alabama, Janelle Gaddis, Birmingham, Alabama, Breeona Wright and Antonaio Curtis of New York. Sister-in-law Mrs. Elizabeth Thomas, godson, Rev. Tracy Burton, Cousin Rita Kelley who treated him like a grandfather and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and other relatives and friends.

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