William C. Matthews, Sr.'s Obituary
William C. Matthews, passed away Tuesday, September 13, 2011.You will have to search many years and many places on this earth to find a person who is as much loved and cherished as Bill Matthews, Sr. – a true gracious gentleman in every sense of the word. Known lovingly by his sons and family as “Pop” and by his friends and employees as “Senior.” At the time of his death, he was the President of Business Equipment Center, Memphis’ local Sharp copier dealer. He was an influential force in steering Sharp Electronics Corporation to bring their manufacturing plant to Memphis. Bill has spent 92+ years developing friendships, working hard to lead a family owned business, giving back to the community in so many ways, and “being there” for every one steadfastly every day. There will be a big empty spot that will be filled by the many happy memories that he leaves to each one of us. Over the years Bill has worked hard to serve his community in many ways. He served his country during WWII in the Coast Guard. His career with Remington Rand took him to Kansas City as Branch Manager, Regional Manager in Chicago and National Director of Marketing in New York and Pennsylvania. He served on the Board of Directors, and, was Past Chairman of the Board for the Memphis Heart Association; along with being one of the Founders of the Memphis Heart Gala Board, where he served as President. As Co-Chairman of the Men’s Heart Golf Tournament for 16 years he helped to raise much needed funds for the Memphis Heart Association. He served on the Board of Directors for United Way, was named as Small Business Executive of the Year in 1987, and contributed over the years to the Boy Scouts of America. He served as President of Chickasaw Country Club and past President of the National Office Machine Dealers Association (NOMDA). He served on a task force that developed the Statement of Principles which is a voluntary code of conduct to guide manufacturers and dealers of office equipment; one of these principles is his belief of treating everyone in a “fair and equitable manner.” This Statement of Principles was placed in the United States Congressional Record. His love of this industry was the driving force in serving as Chairman of the National Historical Office Equipment Museum Committee, which created a place to showcase the history of office equipment. Bill was a member of the Memphis Central Rotary Club where he served on the Board. For many years, even into his 90’s, he devoted himself to their annual golf tournament; raising funds for scholarships for high school students. All of this, while being “at the office” every day, until his health kept him away the last two months of his life. Mr. Matthews was preceded in death by his first wife of 59 years, Nell Whitman Matthews. Bill leaves his loving wife Sara B. Matthews, son William C. Matthews, Jr. and daughter-in-law, Lupe R. Matthews, son Mark W. Matthews and daughter-in-law, Susan A. Matthews, step children, Cathy Stanford and her husband Hal, Caren Orndorff and Doug Black, eleven grandchildren, nine great grandchildren and a host of loving extended family and friends. He was a member of Central Church and attended Hope Presbyterian Church with his wife Sara. His outlook in life can be summed up by his favorite motto, “Never a problem . . . always an opportunity.” He will be deeply missed. The family will receive friends from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m., Friday, September 16, at Memorial Park Funeral Home. The funeral service will be held Saturday, September 17, at 10 a.m. also at Memorial Park Funeral Home.
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