Willie Dale Matthews Jr.

Willie Matthews Jr. was born January 23, 1950 in Rome, Mississippi to Willie Matthews Sr. and Dearest (Dale) Matthews. He was the oldest child born to this union.

At the age of 15 he relocated to New Orleans to live with his mother and younger siblings. Shortly after moving to New Orleans he joined the United States Job Corps where he received a certificate in Culinary Arts. After leaving Louisiana he spent time in Indiana, Arizona, and Mississippi, where he worked for the Coca-Cola Company; before eventually settling in Portland, OR after meeting the love of his life, Ginger Reid.

Willie loved movies, music, video games, and spending endless hours with family and friends. On any given day you could find him watching his afternoon soap operas.

On Tuesday August 18, 2020, Willie transitioned from his earthly home for a heavenly home.

Willie, who was affectionately called “Squeaky”, was preceded in death by his mother, Dearest Dale Matthews; maternal and paternal grandparents; one Stepbrother; eleven uncles; four aunts; one nephew; and multiple cousins.

Willie leaves to cherish his memory: his partner for life Ginger Reid; father Willie (Mary) Matthews Sr. of St Louis, MO; son Gerjuan (Roxanne) Ford of Davenport Iowa; daughters Ginger (Doug) Matthews, Shawntia (Demetrius) Otero, Tina (Stanley) Clark, all of Portland, OR; Candace Washington of Clarksdale, MS; and Tiffany Matthews of New Orleans, LA. Brothers - Thomas Matthews of Michigan City, IN, Bishop John (Inga) Matthews and WC Hollis, both of St. Louis, MO, Milton (Carolyn) Matthews and Rickey Matthews both of East St. Louis, IL and the Rev Charles (Lasonya) Matthews of Horn Lake, MS. Sisters - Corrine Matthews of Kansas City, KS, Shirley (Marvin) Morris of Gary, IN, Geraldine (Micah) Graves of Michigan City, IN and Clara Matthews of East St Louis, IL. Grandchildren – Sebastian Moton Jr., Jamyla Matthews-Pollard, Jaedynn Otero and Devynn Reid-Clark, all of Portland, OR; Tamoney, Trevion, Gernaria, Gerjuan Jr., Cavausier, Jerjuan, Gerlyssia, Gernsia and Juanye, all of Daventport, IA; Ty’Jahnay, Tariah, Tyran, Ty’Rese, Taliyah, and Tahla and one great-grandchild, Milo, all of New Orleans, LA.