March 7, 1936 – July 16, 2012

NATCHEZ — Services for Willie Robert “Mr. Bill” Maxie Sr., 76, of Natchez who died Monday, July 16, 2012, at Natchez Community Hospital, will be at 1 p.m. Friday at Highland Baptist Church with Troy Dennard and Sammy Dennard officiating.

Burial will follow at the Natchez City Cemetery under the direction of Laird Funeral Home.

Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m. today and from noon until service time Friday, both at the church.

Mr. Maxie was born March 7, 1936, in Natchez, the son of Calvin Spencer Maxie Sr. and Mildred Trevillion Maxie. He was a member of Highland Baptist Church. In his younger days he was known as “Bill Do,” because if no one else would do it, Bill would. Bill would do anything. Known by many as “Mr. Bill,” he loved to hunt and spend time with Billy and “Knothead” and all the others at the hunting camp. But most of all, he loved to spend time with his loving wife of 50 years, Viola D. Maxie.

Mr. Maxie was preceded in death by his parents; stepfather, Jerry Mulkeys; one son, David Brown; one daughter, Theresa Mayo; two brothers; and two sisters.

Survivors include his loving wife, Viola “Dee” D. Maxie; one son, Willie Robert Maxie Jr. and wife, Marsha; four daughters, Debra Freeman and husband, Jewel, and Velma Heidel and husband, Rob, all of Natchez, Eva Mayer and husband, Michael, of Springfield, La., and Jarri Matise and husband, Chris, of Kenner, La.; four sisters, Mary Cleboski of Porter, Texas, Ann Huff and husband, James, of Natchez, Glenda Lance of St. Joseph, La., and Tonette Owens and husband, Ronnie, of Ferriday; 14 grandchildren; 30 great-grandchildren; and a number of friends and relatives.

Pallbearers will be grandsons, Willie R. Maxie III, Blake A. Heidel, Robert A. Heidel and Paul D. Heidel and nephews, Jeremy Owens and Josh Eades.

Honorary pallbearers will be Pete “PeeWee” Guido, Jimmy R. Thorpe, David Bozeman, Jessie Martin, Wayne Finley and Randy Cowart.

Online condolences may be sent to www.lairdfh.com.