William A. 'Bill' Matson

Matson, William A. "Bill"MADISON/STOUGHTON - William A. "Bill" Matson, age 97, of Madison, passed away on Saturday, Oct. 23, 2010, at Skaalen Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Stoughton. The youngest of four children, Bill was born on April 11, 1913, in Eau Claire to Albert B. and Elizabeth (Anderson) Matson. After graduating from Eau Claire High School, Bill received a BS degree in Education from UW-Eau Claire, followed by a master's degree in sociology from UW-Madison in 1937. Following military service in the U.S. Army, seeing action in the European Theater, including the Ardennes Campaign and three others, Bill returned home to Madison where he was employed with the State of Wisconsin for the next 41 years. He was Chief of Classification and Compensation for the Wisconsin Bureau of Personnel for ten years, at which time he developed many pay plans for cities and counties in Southern and Eastern Wisconsin. The next 21 years were spent as Division Administrator for the Wisconsin Dept. of Natural Resources. Since retiring 32 years ago, Bill devoted his time to helping others. A long time member of Bethel Lutheran Church in Madison, Bill was a 15 year member of the Bethel Estate Sales team. Many non-profit organizations benefitted from Bill's generosity. He enjoyed sharing his hobby farm in LaValle, Wisc. with family and friends, and he delighted in watching his raspberries grow. He had a special place in his heart for dogs of all shapes and sizes. Bill was united in marriage to Theresa Johnson of Eau Claire on April 19, 1941. She preceded him in death in 1958. Survivors include sons, Dan (Diane) of Stoughton, Steve (Sherril) of San Anselmo, Calif.; daughter, Betsy (fianc, Robert Schmidt) of San Anselmo; seven grandchildren, Christopher (Odessa), Aaron (Laura), Nathan (Keeley), Jordan, Ryan, Daniel, and Tess; four great-grandchildren, Raegan, Taylor, Colton, and Macy; brother-in-law, Ivan (Lona) Johnson of Eau Claire; niece, Anita (Cliff) Turk of Gilroy, Calif; other family members and many friends. In addition to his wife, Bill was preceded in death by his parents; and three sisters, Lucile, Alice and Genevra. Funeral services will be held at the SKAALEN NURSING AND REHABILITATION CENTER CHAPEL, 400 N. Morris Street, Stoughton, at 11 a.m. on Friday, Oct. 29, 2010, with the Rev. James Koza presiding. Visitation will be from 9 a.m. until the time of the service on Friday. Interment with military honors will be at Roselawn Memorial Park, Madison, following a luncheon in the Skaalen Friendship Room. Those wishing to honor Bill's memory with a memorial may consider HospiceCare, Inc., or Skaalen Nursing and Rehabilitation Center. Memorials: Those wishing to honor Bill's memory with a memorial may consider HospiceCare, Inc., or Skaalen Nursing and Rehabilitation Center. Cemetery: Interment with military honors will be at Roselawn Memorial Park, Madison, following a luncheon in the Skaalen Friendship Room. Visitation: Visitation will be from 9 a.m. until the time of the service on Friday. Service: Funeral services will be held at the SKAALEN NURSING AND REHABILITATION CENTER CHAPEL, 400 N. Morris Street, Stoughton, at 11 a.m. on Friday, Oct. 29, 2010, with the Rev. James Koza presiding.