Former Exeter resident William Clyde “Bill” Mathes, Jr. passed away peacefully in his sleep on Thursday morning, March 26, 2015 in Lemoore, California. Bill is survived by his wife, Sharon DeMasters, children (Christopher Mathes and Jennifer Faught), step-children (Tamara DeMasters and Chuck DeMasters), 11 grandchildren, 4 great-grandchildren and his cousins Jack McHenry of Southern California and Lucille Witherell along with his extended family.
Bill was born in Alhambra, CA on July 4, 1934. Son of William Clyde Mathes and Margaret Geneva Mathes, he grew up in a Navy family and lived in several locations around the world during his childhood (including California, Virginia and Shanghai, China). Bill graduated from Matthew Fontaine Maury High School in Norfolk, VA in 1951. He graduated from William & Mary College in Williamsburg, Virginia on June 1, 1955 with a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry.
Bill followed in his father’s footsteps by joining the Navy in 1956 as an ensign sailor. He quickly worked his way to become an Intelligence Officer and retired from the Navy honorably in 1962.
Bill returned to college and received his Masters in Social Work from the University of California, Berkeley circa 1968. He used this training to help people during his professional career that spanned four decades and included Porterville State Hospital, Lindsay Hospital, Tulare County Children's Services, Tulare View, Kingsview Hospital, Cedar Vista Psychiatric Hospital in Clovis, Kings View Mental Health and Lemoore Naval Air Station (LNAS). After starting his career in the Navy it was fitting that he finished his career serving as a civilian at LNAS and retiring from this work in 2001.
Bill was also a published author and an avid reader. He had a passion for life and his family. During the past 20 years he fought through health issues but persevered to the end.
A beautiful memorial service was held on Sunday, March 29th, in the garden of the Generations Adult Day Care Center in Lemoore, California. At the service he was honored by Navy men in uniform who played taps and presented the flag to his wife, Sharon.
In lieu of flowers, donations (in memory of William Mathes) can be made to the Kings County Commission on Aging (680 N. Campus Dr., Suite, Hanford, CA 93230).
Family and Friends are invited to view Bill's legacy at www.peoplesfuneralchapel.com and send condolences to the family.
Services are under the direction of People's Funeral Chapel.
PEOPLE'S FUNERAL CHAPEL
501 N. Douty Street
Hanford, CA 93230
559-584-5591
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