William “Bill” Sanford Matthews, age 79, of Montfort, WI, passed away on Saturday, December 18, 2021, in Dubuque, IA. Bill was born on September 17, 1942, the son of Clinton and Nancy (Giltner) Matthews in a cheese factory in Stitzer, WI. He attended Montfort Grade School and was the first graduating class of the new Iowa-Grant High School in 1961.
He married Carol Masbruch on July 20, 1963, at the St. Thomas Catholic Church in Montfort. Bill’s first job was working at Gardner’s Bread in Madison, WI. He owned his own grocery/ice cream truck and from there worked as a butcher for many years, even going on to teach meat cutting at the Southwest Technical College in Fennimore. Bill also worked at Rayovac for 20 years. After retiring from Rayovac, he was a hometown favorite owning and operating Bill and Carol’s Cones & Crafts and working Allegiant Oil.
He enjoyed playing cards, games, gardening, wood working and was a sports enthusiast, loving his Packers, Cubs, Badgers and Brewers. And most of all, he loved watching his grandchildren’s sporting events and spending time with family.
He touched the lives of so many people he met, literally making friends wherever he went. He will be sadly missed by all who knew and loved him.
Bill is survived by his wife Carol of Montfort, four children: Julie (Don) Hawes of Montfort, WI, Jeanie (Dean) Murray of Franklin, WI, Scott (Crissy) Matthews of Franklin, WI, Wendy Matthews of Cross Plains, WI, nine grandchildren: Bethany Hawes, Hilary Hawes, Jackie Hawes, Alyssa Murray, Chad (Lauren) Murray, Mackenzie Murray, Tyler Matthews, Abby Matthews and Logan Matthews, three great-grandchildren: Connor, Cassie and Scarlett.
He was preceded in death by his daughter Jackie Kay, his parents Clinton and Nancy, sisters: Mary Ann, Patsy and Nancy, brothers: Keith, Chuck and George.
Funeral services will be held 11:00 A.M. Wednesday, December 22, 2021, at the St. Thomas Catholic Church in Montfort, WI, with Father James Murphy officiating. Immediately following the service, the family invited everyone for food and fellowship in the church hall. Burial will be in the church cemetery at a later date. Visitation for family and friends will be held from 4-7:00 P.M. on Tuesday December 21, 2021, at the Soman-Larson Funeral Home in Montfort, WI. In lieu of plants and flowers a memorial fund will be established.