William Matson
February 24, 1932 - April 10, 2021
Obituary
Passed away peacefully on Saturday, April 10, 2021 at Covenant HealthCare – Harrison. He was 89 years old. William Francis Matson was born on February 24, 1932 in Fremont, Michigan to the late Francis and Velma (Fowler) Matson. He graduated from Newago High School in 1950, where he played baseball, football and basketball. Bill furthered his education at Central Michigan University where he received his Bachelor's Degree in Teaching, and played baseball. He also received his Master's Degree in Education from Western Michigan University. He started his teaching career in Montague, and was then drafted into the United States Army, serving during peacetime. Following his service, he married Jean Marie Iverson, and they were married on August 17, 1957. They celebrated 63 wonderful years together before her passing on September 9, 2020. Together Jean and Bill moved to the Saginaw area in the 1960's and raised their three daughters. Bill taught biology within the Saginaw Township Schools. As his teaching career progressed, he became the Assistant Principal at Douglas McArthur. Bill retired in 1993, as the Principal of Weiss Elementary. Throughout his career he enjoyed coaching basketball for many years. Jean and Bill loved to spend time outdoors, canoeing, camping and spending time up north in Hoxeyville, Michigan. Bill loved to sing with the Harbor Sounds Barber Shop Chorus, ski, paddle and peddle. It brought him great joy to watch his grandchildren play sports. Bill is survived by his daughters: Shelley (Steve) Fox, Stacey (Lon) Woock and Valerie (Michael) Morley; grandchildren: Ian Dunscombe, Andrew (Laura) Dunscombe, Drew Woock, Kelly Woock, Beth Morley and Mitch Morley; great-grandchildren: Austin, Hunter and Blaze Dunscombe, Tanner and Raegan Dunscombe; brothers: Max Matson and Hugh (Jackie) Matson; sister, Joelyn (Millard) Stone; several nieces, nephews, extended family and friends. Bill was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Jean Marie Matson; sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Nancy and Jim Ooley; and his infant granddaughter. Bill's family would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to P.J., Pam, Sabrina and Deb for the wonderful care provided to both Jean and Bill over the past few years. MEMORIAL SERVICE: According to Bill's wishes, cremation has taken place and a private celebration of Bill and Jean's lives will take place on Saturday, May 8, 2021. VISITATION: Family and friends will visit at Deisler Funeral Home, 2233 Hemmeter Rd. (off State) on Saturday, May 8, 2021 from 1:00 p.m. until 3:00 p.m. In keeping with mandated ordinances and for the safety of the community, face masks are required, social distancing, and gathering guidelines will be observed.
MEMORIALS: In lieu of flowers, those planning an expression of sympathy may wish to consider a donation to Saginaw Township Community School (STCS) Foundation Organization. Donations can be mailed to the Board Office, 3465 N. Center Road, Saginaw, MI 48603. Deisler Funeral Home is honored to be serving the Matson family. Please share your thoughts and memories with the family through www.DeislerFuneralHome.com
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Doreitha Paeth
Other •
Coming from the second graduating class of Douglas MacArthur High School many of us had the Matson boys for teachers..Bill was my favorite. I was honored to be in his Biology and Advanced Biology classes. He inspired me to become a teacher. He will be gone, but not forgotten. He will live on in our fond memories and hearts. Rest in peace, Bill
Condolences to the family, Doreitha Radenbaugh Paeth
LM
Les and Julie Miller
Other •
I was privileged to work with and play with Bill in many ways. We were colleagues at DMHS where I taught biology. Bill was one of my administrators. He also hired me to coach 9th grade basketball when he was the varsity coach. We also sang together in some Barbershop Choruses. A great memory is performing in a quartet with Bill and singing with the band in a special number. Our quartet included Bill, myself, Scott Smith and the late Rudy Emerick and received a standing ovation. Bill was a gentle soul and a really good man. My condolences to his daughters and their families and the rest of the Matson family.
DB
David Brechtelsbauer
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Bill Matson was one of my most favorite and influential teachers during my time at DMHS. He was a gifted educator. I recall a sign under the clock of the biology classroom, "Time is Passing - Are You?". Mr. Matson was my teacher for Biology I and Advanced Biology. I had an interest and aptitude for science and he encouraged me not to try to answer every biology question he posed. I think I impressed him most when out of the blue he played a recording of the song "Stardust"? He was surprised that I could identify the song. He then asked, "Who was the composer?" He didn't know what to say when I answered, "Hoagy Carmichael."
I was not a stellar athlete, but did try out for basketball. I did not make the team, but took solace in the fact I defeated my opponent during 1 on 1 drill during tryouts, particularly as the person I defeated made the team. My opponent was probably 6" taller than than I was.
I did make the team in another sense as he recruited me to be the team's statistician, and taught me how to be a basketball statistician.
A memory all members of the first graduating class at MacArthur was defeating the Arthur Hill team 63-60 in 1965. I had to leave the game early as I had a job at The Saginaw News. My job was to answer the phone and take the scores from coaches from outlying schools, and provide scores to callers, thereby protecting the real sports reporters from interruptions as they wrote their stories for the next day's paper. Callers got the score they asked for, as well as the 63-60 DMHS over AHHS game.
My sympathy to the family. Bill was a kind and gentle man, I am sure you will miss him but equally sure recalling good times over the years will provide some comfort as you cope with your grief.
David Brechtelsbauer
DMHS Class of '65
JC
Jack Chase
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Dear Shelley and family. So sorry for your loss of a really great guy.Bill and I met in the nineties through cycling and we had many many great rides together.We also had many good times at Hoxeyville and our big ash contests.I always beat him but he said I cheated.He also was a great cross county skier and tried very hard to teach how to ski but with out much luck.He also tried to teach to sing, again, not much luck.He will be missed by everyone who knew him and him and Jean are together again.Rest in peace my friend. Jack Chase Friend
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Suzanne Pearce
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Condolences to Bill and Jean’s family. Such a wonderful family; sure did enjoy knowing them for many years. They made the world a better place. Love from Eileen Hoos and her daughters.
SH
Sue Hohendorf
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Mr Matson was definitely my favorite teacher at Douglas MacArthur High School. He was my teacher for Biology and Advanced Biology. He started my love for the sciences and was a huge influence in my decision to end up in a 47 year career of cancer diagnosis at the cellular level. Even after all these years I can remember him and his classroom and how I always looked forward to that class every day. My sympathies to his family and want them to know he made a lasting impression on a lot of us with his love for Biology and teaching.
Sue (Hackett) Hohendorf
Douglas MacArthur High School Class of 1966