William C. Maddox

William C. "Chuck" Maddox, 89, of Astoria, died Saturday, Dec. 17, 2011, in Astoria.

He was born March 13, 1922, in Mount Vernon, Wash., to Melvin W. Maddox and Florence I. Bartl.

He was raised in Day Creek, Wash.

After the attack on Pearl Harbor, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy and served during World War II from 1942-1945 on the USS Tatoosh at Adak, Alaska. He also served three more years in the reserves. His most memorable story was that he attended a meal presided over by Franklin D. Roosevelt. The president asked all the officers to leave the mess hall, and he proceeded to dine and converse with the enlisted men.

On Feb. 10, 1945, he married Victoria Louise Heine in Port Angeles, Wash. She preceded him in death May 2, 2000.

Mr. Maddox worked in the logging industry in Washington and Idaho and served as a deckhand on tug boats in Puget Sound, Wash., as a young man. He received his master's degrees in sociology and social psychology in 1970, at the age of 48, from California State University at Los Angeles. He was employed by the state of Washington to hire employees at the Mossyrock Dam project, and worked for the state of Oregon as a vocational rehabilitation counselor in Astoria in the early 1970s. He also worked for the state of Alaska as a vocational counselor and instructor at the Alaska Skill Center in Seward, Alaska. He recently relocated to the Astoria area in July to live near his daughter. He previously resided in Raleigh Hills for 10 years.

Family members said he enjoyed watching the ships and boats that come into the harbor. His favorite eating spot was the Ship Inn, where he had a perfect view of all the fishing and shipping action. His hobbies included reading, writing poetry, correspondence with his friends and family and music.

He is survived by two sons and a daughter-in-law, Bill Maddox of Chongqing, China, and Jim and Marilyn Maddox of Lynnwood, Wash.; a daughter and son-in-law, Irene and Mike Bandeen of Warrenton; 12 grandchildren, Willy and Rachel Maddox of Tigard, Adam and Dorit Harvey of Oregon, Nicholas Maddox and Dena Maddox Kutrich of Seattle, Devorah Maddox Ritchie, Sarah Maddox Petersen and Elizabeth Maddox Heflin, all of California, Holly Bandeen Goebel of Wallowa, Wendy Bandeen Files of Kent, Wash., and Ginger Bandeen of Scappoose; and 10 great-grandchildren.

A memorial will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 7, at the Mission Christian Fellowship Church, 525 N.W. Warrenton Drive in Warrenton.

Memorial contributions may be given to the Disabled American Veterans, Chapter No. 1, 8725 N.E. Sandy Blvd., Portland, OR 97220.

Caldwell's Luce-Layton Mortuary in Astoria is in charge of the arrangements. An online guest book can be signed at www.caldwellsmortuary.com