Will Maxwell

William Neil Maxwell, 47, passed away on May 10, 2026. Born on June 19, 1978, in North Kansas City, Missouri, Will spent the majority of his life in the Birmingham area, where he built a life centered around family, friendship, service to others, and a passion for creativity and innovation. Will was a devoted husband, son, brother, uncle, neighbor, and friend whose presence brought comfort, laughter, and strength to those around him. He shared a loving marriage with his wife, Sheri Maxwell (Newton), and treasured the life they built together. A childhood cancer survivor, Will’s experiences shaped the compassionate, resilient, and caring person he became. He attended the very first Camp Smile-A-Mile camp and remained actively involved with the organization well into adulthood, continuing to support and encourage others facing similar battles. For the past 10 years, Will worked as an Electrical Controls Technician at Warrior Met Coal, where he was known as a dedicated and hardworking employee. He considered his coworkers like family and genuinely loved his job. Will had a remarkable talent for problem-solving and innovation, often developing new inventions and ideas to help the mine operate more effectively. His intelligence, creativity, and willingness to help others earned him the admiration and respect of everyone who worked alongside him. Will was also deeply committed to his community. He proudly served as HOA President for the Letson Farms neighborhood for 14 years, dedicating countless hours to helping neighbors and improving the community he loved. Whether fixing something for a neighbor, offering advice, or lending a helping hand, Will was always someone others could count on. Outside of work and community service, Will found joy in spending time outdoors with his wife and family. He loved electronics, tinkering with projects, woodworking, 3D printing, and gaming with friends. He especially enjoyed learning how things worked and creating new solutions through his many hobbies and inventions. One of his greatest sources of happiness was his beloved pet cats, whose companionship brought him daily comfort and joy. After suffering a stroke at the end of 2025, Will was later diagnosed with advanced heart failure earlier this year. He spent his remaining days at home surrounded by the love of his family, friends, and cherished cats. Will is survived by his wife, Sheri Maxwell (Newton); his mother, Sarah Bullivant (Neff); his sister, Tracey Butcher (Edwards) and her husband, Danny Butcher; his brothers, Kurt Edwards and his wife, Connie Edwards, and David Maxwell and his wife, Shannon Maxwell; and his in-laws, Roger and Nancy Newton. He also leaves behind his beloved nieces, Claire and Catherine Butcher, and nephews Alex, Bradley, and Caleb Edwards and their families, along with many cherished extended family members and dear friends who will continue to honor his memory and legacy. Will will be remembered for his generous heart, sharp mind, unwavering loyalty, and the love he gave so freely to those around him. Though he will be deeply missed, the memories he created and the lives he touched will remain forever in the hearts of all who knew and loved him. A Celebration of Life honoring Will’s life will be held on June 19, 2026 — what would have been his 48th birthday — at 7:00 p.m. at Pleasant Hill United Methodist Church. The family will greet friends and loved ones from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. prior to the service. In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests donations be made to the GoFundMe memorial fundraiser to assist Sheri with medical and end-of-life expenses during this difficult time. https://www.gofundme.com/f/dan9g7-in-loving-memory-of-william

Will Maxwell

June 19, 1978 - May 10, 2026