Willie Estes Matthews

Florence – Will Matthews, 80, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, March 31, 2021. Will was born March 9, 1941, to Olif Thompson Sr. and Willie E. Matthews. He graduated from Florence High School in 1959. He also graduated from Co-Lin Junior College and the University of Southern Mississippi. He served in the Army from 1963 to 1965. He worked for Stuart C. Irby Co. in Jackson for fifty years concluding his career as the Director of Information Systems.

Will found several ways to enjoy life. He was an antique car enthusiast who owned a number of antique cars over his lifetime. But his favorite was his first car – a 1966 Chevelle Super Sport. It was not uncommon for him to wake up early on a Saturday morning to drive one of his antique cars to a local car show and return at the end of the day with a trophy in hand.

Will also enjoyed music. Over the course of his lifetime, he owned a wide array of albums, 8-tracks, cassettes, and CD’s. Those who spent the night at his house would often be awakened the next morning to loud music playing through the house and find him tapping his toes as he sat in his recliner. In addition to his music collection, he also purchased a player piano as a retirement gift which became one of his most prized possessions.

Will enjoyed spending time with his family. Whether it was visiting his siblings at the old home place on Sunday afternoons, attending the Walters family reunion each year on the Saturday before Memorial Day, or meeting up for the monthly luncheon with extended family, he looked forward to each occasion. But spending time with his daughters, sons-in-law, and grandchildren brought him the most enjoyment. He took them on yearly trips to the beach, drove untold miles to see their games and recitals, pushed them countless hours in the swing, and even jumped with them on the trampoline! His love for this part of his family was unmistakable because of the time he invested in each one of them.

Will is survived by his wife of 53 years, Kathleen Salers Matthews and his two daughters, Kelly Cappleman (Scott) of Starkville, MS, and Karen Cummings (Bill) of Birmingham, AL. He is also survived by seven grandchildren: Carly Beth, Eli, and Clancy Cappleman and Jakob, Mason, Will, and Levi Cummings. He is survived by his siblings: Irma Ruth Smith, Olif Matthews Jr. (Betty), Betty Glass, Nancy Green, Sandra Buffington, and Pat Matthews (Peggy). He was preceded in death by his brothers Paul and Alton Matthews and his sister, Gail Dear.

Visitation will be held at Ott & Lee Funeral Home in Brandon, MS, on Friday, April 2 from 5:00 – 8:00 pm. The funeral service will be held on Saturday, April 3, at 11:00 am with a visitation at 10:00 am. The family asks that you follow COVID-19 guidelines and wear a mask.

Memorials may be given to the Batson’s Children’s Hospital, Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research, or St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital