LTC William (Bill) Patterson Matthews

LTC William (Bill) Patterson Matthews, USA, Retired.

LTC William (Bill) Matthews died on Saturday, April 4, 2026 at the age of 82 at his home in Mexia, Texas with his family by his side. LTC Matthews was born in College Station, Texas on November 4, 1943 to Dr. W.R. Matthews and Juanita Lee Patterson Matthews. LTC Matthews was the oldest of two children.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Dr. W.R. Matthews and Juanita Lee Patterson Matthews.

LTC Matthews graduated from Mexia High School in 1961 and attended Texas A&M College. He was commissioned into the US Army from Texas A&M in 1967. LTC Matthews retired from the Army in 1992 after a 26-year career, serving in more than 30 countries. A Vietnam veteran, he earned two Bronze Stars for Valor, two Purple Hearts, the Army Commendation Medal, and the Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry.

After his military career, LTC Matthews devoted three decades to education in Mexia ISD, serving as a teacher, coach, and principal. He was recognized as runner-up for Elementary Principal of the Year by the Association of Texas Professional Educators in 2002. He founded programs such as “Blackcats Don’t Bully” and “The Colonel’s Kids,” which helped hundreds of students succeed in school.

LTC Matthews was honored during the 2025 Waco Veteran’s Day Program hosted by U.S. Representative Pete Sessions as a recipient of the Congressional Veteran Commendation of the 17th Congressional District of Texas. This commendation honors veterans who not only served their country with distinction but also continued their service through leadership and community involvement after leaving the military. LTC Matthews also received the Melvin Jones Fellowship for his dedication to humanitarian services through his service in the Mexia Lions Club.

He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Caroline Sue (Kent) Matthews; children, Major William Brian Matthews, USA, Retired, and wife, Susan, Joe K. Matthews and wife, Rene’, Fred A. Matthews and wife, Tiffany, and Sarah (Matthews) Havard and husband, Dr. Kenny Havard; grandchildren, Megan (Matthews) Wolpert and husband, Nick, Alexis (Matthews) Waller and husband, Alec, Maggie Matthews, Millie Matthews, Molly Matthews, Zachary Matthews and fiancée, Mariah Gormley, Brayden Matthews, Sierra Matthews, Evan Havard and Levi Havard; great grandchildren, Elizabeth Matthews, Parker Guevara, and Malia Matthews; sister, Linda Ennis (Matthews) Flatt and husband, Richard Flatt.

Visitation with the family will be 5-7 p.m., Wednesday, at Blair-Stubbs Funeral Home.

Funeral services will be 10:00 a.m., Thursday, at the First Baptist Church with Reverend Marcus Sheffield and Reverend Robert Blackman officiating. Interment, with Military Honors, will be in the Dawson Cemetery. Clint Flatt, Doug Flatt, Dr. Kenny Havard, Mike Davis, and COL. Tim Zajak, USA Retired will serve as pallbearers. Honorary Pallbearers will be Evan Havard, Levi Havard, and the deacons of First Baptist Church, Mexia.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be made to First Baptist Church, 500 E. Carthage, Mexia, TX or Providence Hospice, 6700 Sanger Ave, Waco, Tx 76710.