Bill, 89 years old passed peacefully to Heaven on June 5, 2023 at his home with his daughters by his side. Bill was born to Corbin Mathews and Elva (Rosseau) Mathews on February 16, 1934. Bill began plowing fields with a team of horses at 12 years old and hauling milk at the age of 15 with his dad, Corbin. He graduated from Ava High School with the class of 1951. On December 25, 1953 Bill and Daisy Hancock were united in marriage in Ava and together were blessed with three daughters. During the drought in the 50’s he and Daisy moved to Wichita, KS and he worked for Boeing Aircraft in the winter and then settled in with Peter Kiewit Construction Company that summer. He helped to build many roads and interstates in the state of Missouri, but he was probably most proud to have worked on I-44. He and Daisy met many lifelong friends during his construction career and eventually made and saved enough money to buy a home near Ava, MO.
He was a hardworking man and a good provider for his wife and girls. He went into business with his father Corbin as Mathews Motor Company in 1960 selling used cars and doing mechanical work. He and Daisy worked hard tuning, cleaning and polishing cars to a T while he also drove a school bus for Plainview School. In the mid to late seventies Bill bought out his father and switched the business to a tire shop. It was at this business that he thrived. He loved to work and serve his customers and he did so until he closed the shop in 2010 to care for Daisy in her declining health.
Bill provided excellent care for his wife until her dying day leaving her in a daughter’s care few times to go to the Dr. or other urgent appointment. His days of happiness were few after losing his two loves: Daisy and his tire shop. Bill was a 50 year member of the Ava Masonic Lodge. Bill received Jesus as his personal Savior at a revival meeting held by Russell Sanders in the mid to late 60’s and was baptized at Jackson Mill in 1985 along with his daughters, Lisa and Linda. Bill attended church at Ava General Baptist Church until he was no longer able. He outlived many of his friends and customers whom he loved visiting with but those remaining ones that stopped and visited on occasion made his day.
Bill was preceded in death by the love of his life, Daisy in 2013. A granddaughter Melissa Whorton in 1999. His parents Corbin and Elva (Rosseau) Mathews respectively in 1999 and 2000 and a brother-in-law, Charles Campbell in 2020.
Bill is survived by his daughters and husbands; Cathy and Carl Whorton, and Linda and Dennis Turner, of Ava and Lisa and Chris Barnett, of Springfield, MO, A sister, Wanda Campbell of Forsyth, MO and a brother Jim Mathews of Springfield, MO five grandchildren: Amy Wagoner and Brian of Nixa, Shane Turner, Ava, Miranda Berg and Ryan of Ava, Alex Barnett and Mary Kay of Springfield, MO and Evan Barnett of Springfield, MO and Five Great Grandchildren: Dylan Johnson, Springfield, MO, Kaitlyn Johnson, Ellington, MO, Chloe Holloway, Nixa, MO, Logan Berg and Laney Berg, Ava, and one Aunt Delphie Roller, Ava, MO and many nieces and nephews.
Graveside services for Bill will be Friday, June 9, 2023 at 11:00 A.M. in the Ava Cemetery with Pastor Oren Alcorn officiating. Visitation will be Friday prior to the service from 9:30 A.M. to 10:30 A.M. in the Clinkingbeard Chapel. The family requests donation be made to St Jude Children’s Research Hospital or to Three Rivers Hospice for their excellent care of our father.
