William J. Maddox Jr., 79, a retired Army Major General and combat pilot who served as director of Army Aviation and was one of the Army's most highly decorated officers, died of sepsis January 5, 2001 at a hospital in Bedford, Texas. He had a blood disorder.

General Maddox, who lived in Southlake, Texas, was born in Newburgh, New York, and raised in Washington. He lived in Northern Virginia in the 1960s and 1970s. He retired in 1977 as commander of the Army Aviation Center and School in Fort Rucker, Alabama.

He served in three wars, including three tours in Vietnam, where he commanded a battalion, brigade and aviation group. In all, he amassed more than 10,600 flying hours, including 4,000 in combat in Korea, Vietnam and Cambodia.

His decorations included the Distinguished Service Medal, four Silver Stars, 127 Air Medals, eight Distinguished Flying Crosses and five Legions of Merit.

General Maddox was a graduate of Wilson High School in the District and Michigan State University. He received a master's degree in international relations from George Washington University.

He served in the Philippines at the end of World War II and then in Japan. He later was posted again to Japan and then to Germany.

After he retired, he became an adviser to King Hussein of Jordan and managing director of Arabian Helicopters and Bell Helicopters in Asia.

His wife, Jaye Kurusu Maddox, died in 1999. Survivors include two children, Charlotte Maddox of McLean and William J. Maddox of Bedford; and a sister.

MADDOX, JAYE KURUSU
DATE OF BIRTH: 10/18/1915
DATE OF DEATH: 07/19/1999
DATE OF INTERMENT: 07/29/1999
BURIED AT: SECTION 66  SITE 5829
ARLINGTON NATIONAL CEMETERY
  WIFE OF MADDOX, WILLIAM J JR  MG US ARMY