Augusta fire chief for nearly 23 years, Bill Maddox, dies at 89

March 17--A man considered a legend among Augusta firefighters, retired chief Willie Lee "Bill" Maddox, died Wednesday.

He was 89.

"He was the best fire chief we ever had, and I believe he served longer than any other chief," said former state Sen. Don Cheeks, a longtime friend.

Maddox died peacefully in his sleep Wednesday after having some trouble walking in recent weeks, Cheeks said.

Raised with several siblings in a home on Pearl Avenue in Augusta's Harrisburg community, Maddox "slipped away and joined the Navy" in 1942, he told TheChronicle in 2003. He was 14.

Maddox saw combat in the South Pacific in World War II and participated in the initial landing and occupation of Tokyo Bay. His ship, the U.S.S. Waukesha was sent to Nagasaki three weeks after the U.S. dropped an atomic bomb there. He was called back from the reserves into active duty during the Korean War and spent two more years in the Navy before landing a job at Augusta Fire Department in 1953, according to The Chronicle's archives.

Maddox enjoyed the support of several Augusta mayors and moved up the ranks to acting chief in 1974 when Chief John Fitzgerald retired, then became permanent chief a year later. Politically adept, he told TheChronicle he "always tried to have six or seven councilmen on my side."

Cheeks, who served on the Augusta City Council when Maddox made chief, said the no-nonsense leader ran the department on a limited budget while lowering ISO ratings, the scores that affect insurance rates, from Class 4s and 5s to 1s and 2s. He also had zero tolerance for employee drug use, Cheeks said, and once fired nearly a dozen firemen for smoking marijuana, including some who were on duty. Maddox integrated the department and said he left office with a force that was 38 percent black.

Commissioner Marion Williams, the first black Richmond County firefighter, called Maddox "a fair man" who "loved the fire department."

In 1980, Maddox was elected chairman of the Georgia Firefighters Pension Board, a position he held until 1997. He was named Georgia Fire Service Chief of the Year in 1992.

With his leadership, when Augusta and Richmond County consolidated in 1996, it was natural that the city fire chief -- Maddox -- became the first fire chief of the consolidated government, Cheeks said.

Retiring at the end of 1996 under an enhanced retirement plan, Maddox said he was deeply disappointed in the commission's selection of someone from outside Augusta government, Ronnie Few, to replace him. "I had trained Dennis Atkins for four years to take over that department," Maddox said at the time.

Atkins said Maddox was the "epitome of what a fire chief is supposed to be. Tough but fair. Always seeking the best for his firefighters."

All Georgia firefighters owe a debt to Maddox for his work as chairman of the pension fund, Atkins said.

Augusta Fire Department issued a statement late Thursday that flags were being lowered at fire stations to honor Maddox's 43 years of service to the department.

"Chief Maddox never forgot his humble beginnings. Instead, he used memories of his meager upbringing to fuel the path he traveled throughout his life," the statement said.

"Chief Maddox set the standard of excellence for the current leadership and suppression. His influence is ingrained in our department forever," said Fire Chief Chris James.

Maddox lost his wife of 65 years, Helen, in 2014. He is survived by his son, Rocky Maddox, and several grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Visitation will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. today at Platts Funeral Home and graveside services will be held at 3 p.m. Sunday at Westview Cemetery.

Reach Susan McCord at (706) 823-3215 or [email protected].

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