William Thomas Matthias

Bill was born in Chicago, Illinois on August 2, 1929 to Wilfred and Laura Matthias. Bill was married to Jerry Matthias on June 23, 1949. Bill graduated undergraduate school at University of Illinois and received his Doctorate of Dentistry at Northwestern University. Bill served our country proud as a member of the Naval Service and served in the Korean Conflict. Bill was stationed in the Aleutian Islands where Bill & Jerry brought their first child, Bill, into the world. Bill & Jerry moved to Denver, Colorado where they completed their family by bringing Scott, Debbie & Linda into the world. You don’t always get what you ask for, but Bill & Jerry decided early in their marriage that they would like 2 boys and 2 girls in that order. In this case they indeed got what they wanted and in that order. Bill started a very successful Dental Practice when he moved to Denver. Bill’s patients absolutely loved him and were sure sad to see him eventually retire. Simply said---Bill was an excellent Dentist! Bill had many hobbies. To know Bill is to know that he was the world’s biggest Bronco’s fan. The person to dispute that would be his fellow Bronco fan and wife—Jerry! Bill & Jerry were season ticket holders from year one and actually went door to door with their do-ers cards to raise money to save the Broncos and keep them in Denver. It was a true love affair for his team as he hardly ever missed a home game and went to many away games as well that included 3 Super Bowls and eventually their first winning Super Bowl. It just doesn’t stop there for Bill as his love for sports also included his Colorado Rockies. Bill & Jerry normally had their 2 TV’s on as they were always watching their favorite sports teams. Bill & Jerry were so darn cute as they loved to say, “Rockies Win, Rockies Win, Rockies Win!” Bill had a love for flying as he got his private pilots license and flew for years. He was even part of the Flying Dentists! Bill was a great pilot and Jerry and their kids, and even a couple of the grandkids got the honor of being able to fly with him. Another love of Bill’s was his love of camping. One of the first things Bill & Jerry did when they completed their family, was to take out a map to find the closest warm water lake to give their kids their love for lakes. Bill and Jerry grew up in Chicago and vacationed at Lake Michigan as kids themselves. They found Lake McConaughy was only 237 miles away and for 50 years the memories were endless. Many of these memories with both the Broncos and Lake McConaughy were with Bill & Jerry’s good friends Bill & Nancy Davis and their children Greg & Jeff. Bill just loved family and the holidays. Bill & Jerry were blessed to have their kids and grandkids within 30 minutes of them. The family get togethers meant everything to him, and oh boy did he loved his favorite holiday Thanksgiving! He also very much loved Christmas and got to spend his first Christmas in Heaven this year! Bill was so very excited to make it to the age of 90! A day that meant the world to Bill was celebrating his 90th birthday with his wife Jerry as they were just 27 days apart. That celebration was the most favorite of Bill’s life. He had his wife, all of his kids, most of his grandkids and even a few great-grandkids, along with the friends that were dearest to him all together. As it turned out this would be the last time Bill would have his whole family and friends together in the same place. All in all---Bill lived a wonderful life of 91 years without any regrets!!!

Bill is survived by the absolute love of his life Geraldine (Jerry) Matthias. Bill & Jerry were the cutest couple everyone of us strive to be! They were married just shy of 70 years but knew each other for 81 years. Jerry told Bill in the 5th grade when they were 10 years old that she would marry him. She was persistent and the rest as they say--.is history with a perfect love story. Bill is also survived by 4 children: William (Bill) Matthias Jr. and his wife Lynn Matthias; Scott Matthias and his wife Lori Matthias; Debbie Johnson; Linda Schwartz and her husband Joe Schwartz. Bill is also survived by 11 grandchildren: Bill Matthias, Jenny Matthias, Brendan Matthias, Julia (Matthias) Williamson, Daniel Matthias, Brian Johnson, Rachel Johnson, Brad Johnson, Joe Schwartz, Zach Schwartz & Michael Schwartz. Bill is also survived by 9 great-grandchildren: Madilyn & Annabelle Matthias, Adam & Nora Williamson, Joey Nate & Ben Schwartz, Griffin & Reagan Schwartz. Needless to say---Bill leaves quite the legacy. Bill & Jerry sure put their combined fingerprints on this world with the love they shared. Bill is also survived by his younger sister Marilyn Reimer.

Bill was preceded in death by his parents, Wilfred and Laura Matthias along with his two Brothers Bob Matthias and Stan Matthias. Bill was also preceded in death by father-in-law Bruce Miniat and mother-in-law Julia Miniat, as well as his son-in-law Lynn Johnson. Living as long as Bill did, he has not seen some of his family for 40+ years and in the process of dying was excited to be reunited with all of his loved ones again!

Bill was also preceded in death by his amazing and best friend Bill Davis just 45 days prior to his. So excited that they both were able to celebrate their first Christmas in Heaven together!! Both of them had one of their more memorable trips back in October of 2015. They were honored for their military service by going on the Rocky Mountain Honor Flight. It was said by both Bills that this truly was a highlight of both of their lives. It is for that reason the family would kindly request in lieu of flowers, any donations in Bill’s memory be directed toward the Rocky Mountain Honor Flight: https://rockymountainhonorflight.org

Thanks for being a part of Bill’s life! The family will forward details of Bill’s service and internment at Fort Logan along with his buddy Bill Davis as plans are made.