Obituary of William Charles Matthews

William Charles Matthews, age 81, of Wisconsin Rapids, passed away Saturday, March 4, 2017 at Arborview Court in Wisconsin Rapids surrounded by his loving family. Services will be held at 11:00 A.M. on Saturday, March 11, 2017 at First English Lutheran Church in Wisconsin Rapids. Rev. Cheryl Davis will officiate. Family and friends are invited to attend William’s Life Celebration at Herman-Taylor Funeral Home in Wisconsin Rapids from 4:00-7:00 P.M. on Friday and at First English Lutheran Church from 10:00 A.M. until the time of services on Saturday. William was born February 5, 1936 in Wisconsin Rapids to Richard and Ada (Johnson) Matthews. He graduated from Lincoln High School and the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point. He was united in marriage to Eunice Rued on June 7, 1958 at First English Lutheran Church in Wisconsin Rapids the same day he graduated from college, fulfilling a promise made to his parents that he wouldn’t get married until he received his bachelor’s degree. William and Eunice were born only three days apart, were in the same nursery and later met in band in the eighth grade. They were blessed with 58 years of marriage and a lifetime of beautiful memories. He served his country in the Army National Guard during the Berlin Crisis. He worked as a clinic manager at Marshfield, Wisconsin and Wichita, Kansas and as a banker at the State Bank of Iola and retired in 1987. William and Eunice loved to sail together. They owned three sailboats over the years; Tonic, Drifter and Teutonic. William loved fishing, especially fly-fishing. He also enjoyed golfing, hunting, traveling, flying, skiing, and woodworking (he built 4 boats!). He also liked spending time at the cabin. William was very active in many community organizations such as Rotary, Kiwanis and the Lions Club. He served as a senior warden for the Episcopal Church and as a city alderman. He also belonged to an association of clinic managers and served on the Board of Directors of the University of Wisconsin-Marshfield Center, Edgewater Haven Nursing Home and Delta Dental. William is survived by his wife, Eunice; son, Douglas Matthews of Franklin, WI; daughter, Kristin (Chris) Ashenberg of Wisconsin Rapids; three grandchildren: Jordan, Kiara and Kendra Ashenberg; sister, Marlene (Don) Gasch of Wisconsin Rapids; and sisters-in-law: Mae Knuth of Wisconsin Rapids and Margie Rued of Neenah. He was preceded in death by his parents, in-laws: Carl and Inga Rued, and brothers-in-law: Gerald “Bud” Rued and Gary Knuth. Special thanks to the staff at Arborview Court and Heartland Hospice for their compassionate care he received and to Pastor Davis at First English Lutheran Church for her guidance and assistance. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be designated to First English Lutheran Church, Heartland Hospice or the National Parkinson Foundation.