Billy B. Matheny

Bill graduated from Troy High School in West Virginia in 1949. He resided most of his life in Cortland Ohio, but in February of 2015, he moved to Arizona, and then to Florida in October of 2021 where he passed.

He went to work for Packard Electric - General Motors in 1951, but was then drafted to serve in the Korean War; he was granted military leave by GM. After the war ended, he remained on active reserve. Upon his return to work at GM, he was an artist cutter in plant 14, then worked in plant 10 at the copper rod mill, then went to the harness board shop until he retired in 1991 after 40 years.

Most everyday he could be seen proudly wearing his Veterans cap, and even at the age of 93, when someone would approach and thank him for his service, he would say, “I was honored to serve my country, and I would do it again if I could.” In 2017 Bill, along with other selected Arizona Veterans, were taken on an Honor Flight trip, and flown back to the Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C.

While residing in Ohio, he was a member and a Deacon at the Cortland Christian Church in Ohio, and a member/volunteer of the Cortland Bazetta Optimist Club.

Bill was preceded in death by his parents, his wife of 37 years, Ilene (Carr) Matheny (1991), and his youngest and only sibling, Patty Ann Barbarow of Parkersburg, West Virginia (2019).

He was a beloved husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother and friend. He will be missed greatly by all of those who were fortunate enough to have known him.

Bill leaves behind two daughters, Deborah in Florida, Pamela in Montana, and a son, Michael in Ohio. Sadly missing their grandfather are Deborah’s son and daughter Wesley and Chelsea, and her great-grandson, Ian, all in Fl, and Michael’s children, Zachary, Heydon, Olivia and Rylee, all in OH.

Interment will be beside his wife at Hillside Cemetery, Cortland, OH. A Celebration of Life is planned in Cortland, OH on August 19, 2023.