Retired Msg William "Bill" Edgar Mathews Jr.

Dateline: Fayetteville

Retired MSG William “Bill” Edgar Mathews Jr, 72, passed away Sunday, February 23, 2014 at his home.

Bill was born November 30, 1941 in Richmond, VA to the late William Sr. and Irma Stanley Mathews. He gained an appreciation of motorcycles and cars at an early age before enlisting in the Army in 1963. He was a member of the 82nd Airborne, 101st Airborne, 5th Special Forces, and JFK, with the majority of his time spent with Special Forces. Bill served 5 tours in Vietnam and also the Dominican Republic. Bill was also a Drill Sgt. and a Free Fall JumpMaster with over 10,000 jumps.

After retiring from the Army in 1985, Bill continued working with the military as an equipment specialist first with ParaFlite in New Jersey and then with the Civil Service at Fort Bragg with USASOC. In 1992 Bill and his wife Mary started their own business catering to the motorcycle enthusiast which continues to this day. Bill retired from Civil Service in 2003 and was able to devote full time to their business, M&M Leather and Custom Cycle, Inc.

Bill is survived by his loving wife of over 28 years, Mary of Fayetteville; 2 children, Brian Shaw and wife Amanda of Autryville and their son Nick. Kristina Addis and husband Travis of Greensboro. Bill also has many family members in Virginia, including sisters, Margaret Gregory and husband Pete of Mechanicsville, VA and Jean Motley also in Mechanicsville.

Visitation will be Thursday, February 27, 2014 from 11:30 AM - 1:00 PM at JFK Memorial Chapel, Building #D-3116, Corner of Ardennes and Zabitosky Streets, Ft Bragg, NC with a motorcycle escort by the SF Brotherhood. A Funeral Service will follow visitation at 1:00 PM at the JFK Chapel with Chaplain Dave Clark officiating.

There will also be a second service at 1:00 PM on Friday, February 28, 2014 at Trinity United Methodist Church, 6974 Raeford Rd, Fayetteville, NC 28304 with Reverend Sarah Smith Pitts officiating. A short viewing will be held at the church from 12:30-1:00 PM.

Burial will follow at a later date in Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, VA.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Fayetteville Animal Protection Society, 3927 Bragg Blvd, Fayetteville, NC 28303 or Trinity United Methodist Church, 6974 Raeford Rd, Fayetteville, NC 28304.