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William ‘Matt’ Matthews

Our beloved husband, father and friend left this mortal world and moved on to his spiritual home on Sept. 27, 2018. Matt had a wonderful soul and heart and will be missed by many.

Matt was born on March 5, 1939, in Boston, Mass. to Collin and Margaret Matthews. Matt attended public school in Braintree, Mass. and joined the United States Air Force in 1956. After serving our country, he moved to San Diego, Calif., where he attended San Diego State University. There he worked at the San Diego Zoo and in the University research lab. After receiving his B.A. in biology, he moved to Anchorage, Alaska and worked for Alaska Fish and Game.

Matt moved to Coeur d’Alene, Idaho in 1984, where he met the love of his life, Mary Beth. They would have celebrated their 30th year together in January 2019.

Matt had many passions and exhibited that by engaging in a variety of activities and careers. Among those were business development for several title companies, sales manager for Professional Software Systems and Agency Management Services, furniture building, owner of a wine and gourmet kitchen shop, creative and talented artist, a web-site designer, and he worked at the Hayden Library.

Matt was an avid fisherman and hunter and loved to read, travel, play golf and cook. Before it was popular, Matt and his friends enjoyed a weekly computer game night. In later years, he looked forward to his morning coffee with the “Geezers” at Starbucks.

Matt is survived by his loving wife, Mary Beth; his children, Billy (Vicki) Matthews of Montgomery, Ala., Caryn Matthews (deceased), Shannon Matthews of Florida, Aaron (Liz) Goodrich of Helena, Mont. and Emily (John) Goodrich Day of Lolo, Mont.; grandchildren, Dr. Kimberly Matthews of Virginia, Cody and Justice of Calif., E.J. of Fla., Leigha Goodrich of Missoula, Mont., Jake Goodrich of Missoula and Mya, Will and Evan of Lolo, Mont.; along with many, many friends that he met along the way.

Matt and Mary Beth found their church home at Unity Church. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to Unity Church, 4465 N. 15th Street, Coeur d’Alene, ID 83815, in Matt’s name.

Matt’s celebration of life will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Oct. 20, 2018, at the Unity Church.

Yates Funeral Homes has been entrusted with the care of final arrangements. Please visit Matt’s memorial and sign his online guest book www.yatesfuneralhomes.com.