Tucson, AZ – William (“Bill”) David Madara, 76, died September 1, 2026 in Tucson, AZ. He was born on October 7, 1949 in Erie, Pennsylvania, the oldest of eleven children of the late William and Antionette Pothoff Madara.
Bill graduated from McDowell High School in 1967 and joined the Air Force. He served proudly in the Vietnam War. Over the years he lived in California, Massachusetts, Erie and later settled in Tucson, AZ where he spent the last 19 years.
Bill was famously the life of every party and could always be counted on for a story or a laugh. He had a big personality and an even bigger collection of stories, friendships and opinions, all accumulated over a life spent going places, meeting people and doing things his own way. Bill loved music, both listening and playing, classic cars, and tackling projects around the house. A proud Vietnam veteran, Bill remained committed to the veteran community throughout his life and was a founding member of American Legion Post 132 in Tucson. After settling in Tucson, Bill spent many summers driving across the country, visiting family and the many friends he had collected over a lifetime.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brother Bradley Madara and sister Michelle Madara. He is survived by his wife of 24 years, Beth Miller Madara (also of Erie), children Billy Madara and his wife Jen of Wellsville, KS, Matthew Madara and his wife Kate of Rye, NH and Michael Madara his wife Erica of Southampton, MA, Alexandra Zurn and her husband Gus of Erie, PA, and Amelia Zurn Oh and her husband David of Burbank, CA, and grandchildren Mike, Josh, Kiara, Caitlyn, Madalyn, Jacob and Allyson Madara, Alma and Avett Madara, Eliza and Jane Madara, August and Louis Zurn-Trauth, and Magnus and Xander Oh. He is further survived by his siblings, Gary Madara and his wife Linda, Bruce Madara, Brian Madara and his wife Pam, Maureen Taylor and her husband James Jr., Tom Madara and his wife Nancy, Colleen Madara, Lynell Madara, and Bob Madara; and many nieces and nephews.
In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation in Bill’s honor to American Legion Post 132 in Tucson, Arizona, by mail to P.O. Box 6966, Oro Valley, AZ 85737, or online at https://ovamericanlegion132.com/donations/
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