Billy "Bill" W. Matthews
|
Billy "Bill" W. Matthews
October 25, 1928 - February 9, 2016
Billy “Bill” W. Matthews, 87, of
Beaumont, died Tuesday, February 9, 2016, at Christus Hospital – St. Elizabeth.
He was born on October 25, 1928, in
Atkins, Arkansas, to Tempie Bowden and Roy Matthews.
Bill
graduated from Little Rock High School and Arkansas Tech before joining the
United States Navy where he became a Naval Aviator and obtained the Rank of
Lieutenant. After active duty and while continuing to serve in the reserves,
Bill attended Southern Methodist University where he met his wife of sixty
years, Mary Prentiss. He was a member of the Delta Kappa Epsilon fraternity. Bill
concluded his studies at the University of Houston where he obtained his degree
in pharmacology.
Bill
dedicated his professional career to Walgreen's where he served as a pharmacist
and store manager for thirty-three years. He was honored by Rotary
International as a Paul Harris Fellow. Bill was also an endowed member of the
Scottish Rite of Free Masonry and a devoted member and servant of Trinity
United Methodist Church and the Hamaco Sunday school class for fifty-three years.
Bill's
passions included flying, which he continued privately with family and friends
long after his twenty year naval service; playing bridge competitively and
socially, and traveling with family and friends. He loved nurturing his two
sons as they matured through scouts, sports, education, and life's great
lessons.
His
philanthropy was most felt in his hometown of Atkins where he supported Boy
Scout Troop 228 and funded the renovation of the civic center which bears the
name of his grandfather. Bill cherished his relationships established as a
youth in Arkansas but even more dear, were the many Beaumont friends he and
Mary came to love over the past fifty years. Survivors include his wife, Mary
Prentiss Matthews of Beaumont; sons, William “Whit” W. Matthews and his wife,
Shana Brock, of Windermere, Florida and Ross P. Matthews and his wife, Rebecca
Hedges, of Houston; and grandchildren, Ellen E. Matthews and Olivia K.
Matthews, both of Houston.
He is preceded in death by his parents.
A gathering of Mr. Matthews’ family and
friends will be from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m., Friday, February 12, 2016, at
Broussard’s, 1605 North Major Drive, Beaumont. His funeral service will be 1:00
p.m., Saturday, February 13, 2016, at Trinity United Methodist Church, 3430
Harrison Avenue, Beaumont, with interment to follow at Forest Lawn Memorial Park,
Beaumont.
|
