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Brother William “Bill” Matthews, Jr., 80, of Shawnee, Oklahoma passed away Monday, January 12, 2015 at his home.
William Gerald Matthews Jr. was born to Gerald and Drusilla on January 17, 1934 at home in Van Buren, Arkansas where he lived until he completed high school.
Immediately after graduation, he moved to Wichita, Kansas where he worked briefly at Boeing Aircraft Company. He then joined the Air Force, completed basic training at San Antonio Texas and was transferred to Del Rio, Texas. There he met and married Lenore Cash. From Del Rio he was sent to Tripoli, Libya where after a year he was joined by his wife and 6 month old daughter, Melody, whom he had never seen. While in Tripoli, a second daughter, Pamela Lark was born.
Soon after returning to the U.S. in 1958 he was discharged. Bill soon realized God`s will for his life was to become a minister of the gospel. Following were years of concurrent working and attending college/seminary while pastoring a church in Spiro, Oklahoma. In his eight years there the church’s membership increased, outgrowing the small one-room building to a good -sized auditorium and classrooms. While there, his family also grew. Valerie was born in 1960 and Michelle in 1965.
From Spiro, the family moved to Lomita, California where he pastored for 1 year. In 1967 he accepted the position of dean at Oklahoma Missionary Baptist Institute in Marlow, Oklahoma where he served for a year. In the summer of 1968 he answered the call to pastor Liberty Baptist Church in Shawnee. Because of the growth of the congregation, he led the church in building a new sanctuary and classroom facility. Later, due to many generous donations, the cafeteria, retirement center, gymnasium and elementary building were added. He and Lenore helped to establish Liberty Academy in 1978. He had the privilege of preaching the Word and ministering to his flock until shortly before he entered the presence of his Savior.
He is survived by the Flock of Liberty whom he loved; his constant companion and spiritual son, Phil Thompson; his wife, Lenore Cash Matthews; his daughters and spouses; Melody and Dave Licklider, Pam and Bill Leveridge, Valerie and Danny Baxter and Michelle and Darrel Rader; grandchildren and spouses; Sundi and Tommy Forsythe, Gabrielle Licklider, Olivia Licklider, Katie and Shawn Anderson, Garrett and Melissa Leveridge, Kelli Leveridge, Brian Baxter, Kristen and Zach Thornton, Brittney Rader, Chase Rader; great-grandchildren; Chandler and Maci Forsythe, and Kash and Jagger Thornton; his sisters and spouses; Betty Williams, Jeanne and Robert Conger, Fay Bogan, and Kay and Jim Goodman.
The family has designated Liberty Baptist Church, 711 E. Federal, Shawnee, OK 74804 as appropriate for memorials in lieu of flowers.
Memorial Services will be 11:00 a.m., Saturday, January 17, 2015 at Liberty Baptist Church, 711 E. Federal, Shawnee, OK with Phil Thompson and Pastor Bill Leveridge officiating under the direction of Cooper Funeral Home of Tecumseh.
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