William Luther Mathias

William Luther Mathias, age 95, died peacefully on Sunday, January 28, 2024 at Wellmore of Lexington, where he had lived since August 2019. Prior to that, he had enjoyed residing in the comfortable home that he and his beloved Carolyn built in 1962 on Northwood Road in Lexington.

Bill was born the youngest child of Dr. John Homer Mathias and Ernestine Barre Mathias on January 13, 1929. He and his two siblings grew up in a loving and prosperous family, despite the austere circumstances of the Great Depression, and Bill graduated from Lexington High School in 1946. He then studied textile chemistry and played trumpet in the Tiger band at Clemson College, graduating in 1950 soon after meeting the love of his life and future wife, Carolyn Newman. Duty intervened however, and he served as a commissioned officer in the United States Army during the Korean War. Following his military service, he and Carolyn married in January 1953 and began 62 years of blissful and rewarding life together, which over the years was blessed with four loving and exceptional children.

Bill then earned a master's degree in textile chemistry from Clemson in 1954, and launched a distinguished career of increasing responsibility and great satisfaction with several major textile corporations, eventually returning to Lexington where his business career culminated upon his retirement from Allied Chemical in 1992.

Bill embraced a deep and enduring faith; he was a lifelong member of St. Stephens Lutheran Church, where he taught Sunday School, served on Church Council and for 25 years was Treasurer. He was a member of Lutheran Church Men, Committee of 100, and Men's Sunday School Class. Throughout his nine and one-half decades, he was always a man of honor and devout principles.

Next to Carolyn, his children and St. Stephens, Bill cherished the Clemson Tigers most highly. He was an avid supporter of his alma mater through IPTAY, Lexington County Clemson Club, Second Century Clemson Club and Heritage Society. He enjoyed greatly attending home football games with Carolyn, daughter Cathy and other family members, and occasionally attended some away and bowl games. He watched his last in-person football game at Death Valley at age 90.

He also participated enthusiastically in many community and social activities, including Lexington Lions Club, American Legion Post #7, Country Club of Lexington, Lexington Cotillion and Les Bon Ami, and often was elected to responsible positions.

Bill and Carolyn loved to travel, and visited many locations around the world, on occasion taking family members with them. They greatly enjoyed time spent at their vacation home in the mountains of western North Carolina with family and friends. An avid golfer, Bill played a round or two almost every week until late in his life.

Bill was predeceased by his devoted wife, Carolyn Newman Mathias; his parents; his brother, Dr. John Homer Mathias, Jr. and his sister, Carolyn Elizabeth Mathias. He is survived by his four children: Cathy Mathias of Lexington; Barbara Mathias (Henry Lowrance) of Chapel Hill, North Carolina; Amy Cleary (Robert) of Lexington; and John Mathias (Michele) of Lewisville, North Carolina; by his three grandchildren: Dr. Todd Cleary (Katie) of Lexington; Shannon Williams (Jason) of Lexington; and Gretchen Mathias of Lewisville, North Carolina; and by three great-grandchildren: Ella Gray and Banks Cleary and Daizy Williams, all of Lexington.

His family extends their heartfelt thanks to the staff of Wellmore and Agape Hospice.

A funeral service will be conducted at St. Stephens Lutheran Church, on Friday, February 2, 2024 at 2:00 PM, followed by a graveside service in the church cemetery. The latter service will be followed immediately by a reception in the church Social Hall.

In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to St. Stephens Lutheran Church at 119 North Church Street, Lexington, South Carolina 29072.