William Paige Mathews, Sr.

William (Bill) Paige Mathews, Sr., born February 14, 1933, passed peacefully with his wife at his side on Monday, April 8, 2024 at the age of 91.  As son, husband, brother, father, uncle, friend, grandfather, and great-grandfather, Bill will be missed by many, forever leaving a legacy of love and tenderness.

Bill and Thelma were married for 69 years and raised six children. Bill was a wonderful husband who treated Thelma as a queen. He loved spending time with his family, and when not working on a special project for them, he enjoyed many activities which he mastered and then taught others: woodworking, hunting, fishing, golf, sailing, and camping. He was a member of the Waco Rotary Club, Kiwanis, and was inducted into the Order of the Arrow with the Boy Scouts of America, troop 360. He and Thelma worked with the Lone Star Hunting Retriever Club.  Bill proudly served his country as an Army drill sergeant.  He and his father both worked as machinists, among other jobs, for the Missouri Pacific railroad for many years.  Bill traveled the world as President of Precision International Corporation of Waco, TX, the largest crankshaft re-manufacturing facility in the Western hemisphere. 

With a great sense of humor and quick wit, Bill was always smiling, cracking jokes, and making others laugh. He had a heart for service, demonstrated by his contributions of time, money, and work with many church and community projects. He was an artist and an inventor. If anyone needed help, they could always rely on Bill and Thelma.

Bill was a dedicated member of Lakewood Christian Church in Waco. He was met in heaven with open arms by his parents, Milton and Ruby Mathews, brother Robert and infant granddaughter Tiffany.  Along with Thelma, left to cherish his memory are his brother Carl, his children Bill Jr. (Denice), Marcia Dutschmann, Mary Beth Hupp (Mark), Mark (Karla), Laura Veloz, and Amy Mathews-Perez (Roger); grandchildren Amanda Castro (German), Paige Sweatt (Jordon), Lindsey Rogers (Joe), Ryan Dutschmann (Elyse), Mark Hupp II, Madison White (Craig), Mitchell Mathews (Dani), Marlee Veloz, and Nico Veloz; great-grandchildren Amelia, Clark & Penelope Castro, Charlee & Corbin Sweatt, Kylie & Delaney Rogers, and Owen Mathews.  Though he is gone, he will not be forgotten.

Revelation 21:4 He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order has passed away.