William Maxwell Souder

William Maxwell Souder, born January 29, 2004 in Frederick, Maryland, passed away after a hard fought battle with Leukemia on May 18, 2023.

Max’s youth was cut short by his cancer diagnosis on January 16, 2019.  Treated at Johns Hopkins Hospital, in Baltimore, Maryland,  Max persevered through almost 3.5 years of cancer treatment, and ‘Rang the Bell’ on April 28, 2022.  One year to the day, on April 28, 2023, doctors confirmed the cancer returned. Through it all, Max fought with all he had, and true to his nature, many times, kept the darkest moments, pain and struggles to himself.  Max was warrior who left us way too soon. We can all learn something from his strength, sense of humor in hard times and his reminders to loved ones he loved them by saying “I love you” every time he left a room.

Despite his cancer treatment, Max graduated with High Honors from Urbana High School in 2022; After graduation, Max attended Hood College in the Fall of 2022, and transferred to Towson University this spring; Max planned to major in Biology.  His love of all animals inspired his dream to attend Veterinary School in the future.

He went by Max for most of his life, and as he left for college preferred William.  Max loved playing basketball, horror movies, and as a child loved professional wrestling.

Max was loved by many and is survived by his mother, Anne Souder and her fiancé, John Duchaj; his father, Eugene and stepmother, Elizabeth Souder; his sister Casey and brother in law Ryan Rea; siblings, Jake, Caroline and Drew Souder; his nephew, Rhett and niece, Piper Rea; Paternal Grandmother, Merry Souder; Maternal grandmother, Margurette Getz; and many aunts, uncles, cousins, and other family members.  He is preceded in death by Eugene Souder, Sr., paternal grandfather, and Thomas Smith, maternal grandfather.

Viewing will be held at Mountain View Community Church, 8330 Fingerboard Rd, Frederick, Maryland on Thursday, May 25, 2023 from 1:00PM – 2:00 PM. Funeral service will commence at 2:00 PM. A reception will follow at Prospect Point Brewery, 5500a Jefferson Pike, Frederick, Maryland. A private burial will take place in Christ Reformed United Church of Christ Cemetery, 12 S. Church St, Middletown, Maryland on May 26, 2023. Online condolences may be shared at www.keeneybasford.com.

In lieu of flowers, please send donations to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, at 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105, or online at www.stjude.org.