William Wordney “Bill” Matthews, 89, of Imperial died Sept. 17, 2023, at his home. Mr. Matthews was the former owner of National Fluid Separators. He was a U.S. Army veteran and a longtime member of Windsor Baptist Church in Imperial. Born Sept. 28, 1933, in Moorhead, Miss., he was the son of the late Gladys (Bacon) Bunn. He was preceded in death by his wife of 53 years: Betty Rae (Hodges) Matthews
He is survived by four children: Patricia (Greg) Long of Festus, Debra (Ronald) DeCelis of Imperial, William T. (Donna Andell) Matthews of House Springs and Sandra Matthews of Pevely; six grandchildren: Amy Vaught, Alan (Jennifer) Heincker, Sabrina (Aly Korbelas) Matthews, Nathan (Faith) Matthews, Joshua (Amanda) Long and Matthew (Sara Giocolo) Long; six great-grandchildren: Haylie Vaught, Mason Heincker, Carson Heincker, Wyatt Heincker, Elijah Long and Michaela Long; and many other family members and friends. He was preceded in death by an infant son: Gary Matthews; and a brother: Paul (Bernadine survives of New Melle) Matthews.
Visitation is scheduled from 9:30 a.m. until a funeral service at 11 a.m. Thursday, Sept. 21, at Windsor Baptist Church, 6701 Hwy. 61-17, in Imperial, officiated by Brother Dan Gremminger. Burial with military honors will follow in the Rauschenbach Cemetery in Imperial. Arrangements are under the direction of Vinyard Funeral Home in Festus.