James William Matthews was born in Fort Bayard, New Mexico, on May 11, 1931, to Coy William Matthews and Glady Elizabeth Myers. He died at age 90 on October 2, 2021, in Fresno, California, where he was a resident.
Raised in and around Silver City, New Mexico, largely by his grandparents Samuel and Mimie Matthews, he went by the name Billy.
He met his soon-to-be wife, Vernine Hill, while they were students at Long Beach City College. They married on September 20, 1951, and recently reached their 70th anniversary. Vernine passed away four days later, on September 24. Bill, seeing his wife through to the end, followed her eight days later.
Bill had a long and storied career in the aerospace and nuclear energy fields.
Starting building crates for Douglas Aircraft, moved into tool design, and then into management. His tools helped build everything from the DC8 aircraft, to the Saturn rockets. He managed a manufacturing floor for nuclear powered steam generators for Rockwell in Hanford, Washington. They sent him from there to Three Mile Island to help with the dismantling. He retired while working for Rockwell in the Santa Suzanna Mountains in southern California. He had an interesting and varied career.
Bill developed a love of photography which combined well with his love of road trips. He also was a life-long member of the Masons.
He is preceded in death by parents Coy and Gladys, stepfather Melvin Corneau, stepmother Christine Matthews, stepbrother Gerald Matthews, half-brother Dennis Matthews, and daughter Karen. He is survived by his son Brad, daughter-in-law Peggy, and three grandchildren: Megan Arnold and husband Jason, Sister Porphyria (Julia Matthews), and Kevin Matthews.
A Graveside Service for James will be held Monday, October 11, 2021 at 10:00 a.m. at Fresno Memorial Gardens, 175 South Cornelia Avenue, Fresno, California 93706.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.boicefuneralhome.com for the Matthews family.
