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Jim Strohmer uploaded photo(s)
Friday, June 11, 2021
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It was with great sadness, when I returned from a stay away from home that I learned of Bill's death during the month of April. Our acquaintance goes back to the 1950's at Central Michigan where we resided in the same dorm (Ronan Hall) where that group of men learned about life and friendships that lasted a lifetime. My best memories were of Bills affable spirit, and his ability to get along with others no matter what. His acumen on the baseball diamond was stellar. From the testimonies here, I can see that he was a great influence to many of his students as it should be . That is what Bill would have wanted, to have students he taught became models for their community. We will miss him and God be with the family.-Jim Strohmer (CMCE-1954)
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RICHARD V WILLIAMS posted a condolence
Friday, May 7, 2021
2021.05. BILL and JEAN MATSON CELEBRATION OF LIFE
Bill Matson has been a genuine friend and fellow biology teacher; also the person who had a large part of who I am today.
Bill and I met in 1962 while both of us were taking several biology classes at the MSU Kellogg summer campus on Gull Lake, Hickory Corners, MI. Two years later in 1964 I would start teaching science at the new MacArthur High School with Bill Matson.
It has been a true privilege to have worked with and enjoyed a long friendship and many wonderful times together with Bill and Jean Matson over the years. Memories are of some of the very best of times in my life are with Bill and Jean.
The Matson's shared great times camping and canoeing on Bill's beloved Pine River, along with paddling the Boardman and other Michigan Rivers. Bill enjoyed cross county skiing in winter and biking or hiking in summer. Whatever we did together was always an enjoyable experience. We miss these special times with special friends.
Richard and Kimiko Williams
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Jake Ashker posted a condolence
Saturday, April 24, 2021
Mr Matson was my principal at Weiss school from 1982-1984. He was the best principal and educator I ever had. Our family moved to the White Cloud area and I would still get a hello visit from Mr Matson years later from time to time when he was in the area visiting family. Ironically I also became friends with his aunt and uncle Gordon and Ruby Baumunk. Small world after all. Mr Matson was a great man and I will never forget him. God bless! Jake Ashker
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Sue Hohendorf posted a condolence
Monday, April 19, 2021
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
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Suzanne Pearce posted a condolence
Monday, April 19, 2021
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.
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Jack Chase posted a condolence
Monday, April 19, 2021
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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David Brechtelsbauer posted a condolence
Sunday, April 18, 2021
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
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Les and Julie Miller posted a condolence
Thursday, April 15, 2021
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.
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Doreitha Paeth posted a condolence
Thursday, April 15, 2021
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
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The family of William Francis Matson uploaded a photo
Thursday, April 15, 2021
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