Captain William George Matton, III, USN Ret.

Captain William G. Matton III of Davidsonville, Maryland died suddenly at home on September 10, 2021. Born in Pensacola, Florida to a family with long-time Annapolis roots and the son of a United States Naval Academy graduate, Bill graduated from the Naval Academy in 1965, served a distinguished career as a naval officer, and in retirement pursued his passions for family, friends, golf, history, and genealogy.

Bill is survived by his beloved wife of 52 years, Mary Lambert Matton; two wonderful sons, William Christopher Matton of Raleigh, North Carolina and his wife Melissa and Jeffrey Andrew Matton of Crownsville, Maryland and his wife Michele; five beloved grandchildren, Ross, Scott, Andrew, Anna, and Ella; and two brothers, Captain Michael Nevett Matton of Annapolis, Maryland and his wife Tori and Stephen Jeffrey Matton of Sebastian, Florida and his fiancée Mandy. Bill was predeceased by his father Captain William G. Matton, Jr. and his mother Nevett Steele Matton.

Following graduation from the Naval Academy and flight school, Bill flew on maritime surveillance and anti-submarine missions during the Vietnam War. He attended the Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey, California and earned a Master’s degree in Management Science. He then taught accounting and financial management at the Naval Academy. After several tours flying and serving at the Pentagon, he commanded VR-24, a squadron in Sigonella, Sicily supporting aircraft carriers in the Mediterranean Sea. Bill completed his naval service in Norfolk, Virginia as Comptroller for the Atlantic Fleet.

Golf played a major role in Bill’s life. While at the Naval Academy, Bill lettered and competed in the 1964 NCAA championship. He won the Naval Academy club championship in 1972 and 2005 and the senior club championship in 1999. He served as President of the Men’s Association at the Naval Academy Golf Club for nearly 30 years. Bill also served on the board of the Maryland State Golf Association, the Rules Committee of the Middle Atlantic Golf Association, and the Handicap Procedure Committee of the United States Golf Association. Most importantly, Bill enjoyed the time he spent on the golf course together with his many friends, his sons, and grandchildren.

Bill had a passion for history and genealogy. He had a particular interest in American history and World War II. Bill researched and wrote a comprehensive history of the Matton and Lambert families, which is treasured by both families.

Bill loved sharing time with family and friends during Class of 1965 luncheons, golf outings, a magical trip to Switzerland and down the Rhone River, bridge games, the Masters, the grandchildren’s sporting events, the annual Camp Matton family reunion, Outer Banks beach trips, and meals together.

Bill was a wonderful husband, father, grandfather, and friend. He was supportive to all who knew him and he will be greatly missed. He Set the Standard.

The family will receive friends at the John M. Taylor Funeral Home, 147 Duke of Gloucester Street, Annapolis on Friday, September 17, 2021 from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Funeral services will be held at the Naval Academy Chapel on Wednesday, November 17, 2021 at 10:30 a.m. Burial at Arlington National Cemetery will occur at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, donations to the memory of Bill Matton may be made to the ‘Naval Academy Athletic Association - Men’s Golf Sustainment Fund’ and mailed to NAAA, Men’s Golf Sustainment Fund, Ricketts Hall, 566 Brownson Road, Annapolis, MD 21402 c/o Nancy McMahon. This is a restricted fund. Please make checks payable to NAAA.