William A. Maddox MD

William A. Maddox, MD, died on December 27, 2011, he was born October 8, 1920 in Abbeville, Alabama and received his undergraduate education at Troy State Teacher's College in Troy, Alabama and the University of Alabama. His medical studies were initiated at the University of Alabama Medical College, a two-year school of medicine, and he completed his clinical studies at Cornell University Medical Center from which he received his M.D. degree in 1944. Dr. Maddox served as a medical officer in the U.S. Navy during World War II and the Korean conflict. He also served an internship in surgery at the U.S. Naval Medical Center in Bethesda, Maryland, followed by a residency in general surgery at Bellevue Hospital in New York City. His residency training was completed at the Sloan-Kettering Memorial Cancer Center. Dr. Maddox returned to join the faculty at the University of Alabama School of Medicine in 1952 where he was appointed an instructor in the Department of Surgery. Rising through the academic ranks, in 1969 he was appointed Clinical Professor of Surgery. Dr. Maddox dedicated himself to the surgical care of cancer patients and in particular patients with head and neck malignancies. He raised the standard of care for patients with cancer in the state of Alabama. He was an outstanding teacher as well as clinician and medical researcher. He led the Alabama Breast Cancer Project form 1976 to 1984 wherein he organized surgeons from all parts of this state to participate in a prospective randomized clinical trial. Dr. Maddox was a member of many professional and scholarly organizations including the Alabama Society of Clinical Oncology, the American Association for Cancer Education ,the American College of Surgeons (Governor, 1986-1991), the Society of Surgical Oncology and the Society of Head and Neck Surgeons (President, 1978). In addition to his skills as a clinical investigator, he was also an outstanding teacher who inspired medical students and residents to follow his example in the care of surgical patients. Dr. Maddox retired from the Department of Surgery in 1993 after 41 years of dedication to patient care, research and teaching.

He was preceded in death by his wife of 67 years, Bobbye Maddox and grandson, Benjamin Stakes.

He is survived by his sons, William A. Maddox, Jr. (Carolyn) and Kendall W. Maddox (Lorraine); daughter Jane Maddox Stakes (Ed); grandchildren, Jennifer Tatum (Kevin), Clay Newsome (Shayne), Kendall W. Maddox, II, Sarah Marie Maddox, Daniel Stakes, Catherine Marie Stakes, Julia Louise Maddox, Allison Maddox Abbott (Terrence), Carrie Maddox and Amelia Maddox; great grandchildren, Hannah Tatum, Mary Brooke Tatum, Brantley Newsome and Riley Newsome; brother, Robert Maddox.

The Maddox family would like to thank Jennie Mims for over 50 years of friendship and loving care. In addition to loving caregivers, Mary Goodrich, Taeesha Williams and the staff of Fairhaven Nursing Home.

A memorial service will be held on Friday, December 30, 2011 at Canterbury United Methodist Church commencing at 1 o'clock. the family will receive friends after the service in the church parlor.

The Maddox family request, in lieu of floral remembrances, contributions may be made to the charity of your choice.

Services are under the direction of Ridout's Valley Chapel (879-3401) Homewood, Al. Online condolences may be made at www.ridoutsvalleychapel.com.