Willard "Pete" Matthews

Pete was the loving husband of the late Madeline for 67 years. He was the beloved Father of Constance (William) Harrison, Kathleen (Rodney) House, Gerard (Dorothy) Matthews and Gayle (Robert) Lark. Loving grandfather of Heather (Gregg) Probst, Thomas (Elizabeth) Harrison, Amy (Kurt) Jaynes, Kevin (Sara) House, Keith (Kristina) House, Nathan (Jane) House, Joshua House, the late Sean Matthews, Jason Matthews, Andrea (Michael) Jatczak, Allan (Melody) Holmes and April Lark; and great-grandfather of 17. He was the brother of the late Paul Matthews, and dear brother-in-law of the late Loretta (the late Francis) Legel, the late Armand (Margaret) Lemieux, Suzanne (the late Robert) Ziroll, the late Lionel (Florence) Lemieux, the late Helen Ostrander, the late Robert Lemieux and Lillian (the late Harold) Sprow. He is also survived by many loving nieces and nephews.

Pete was a veteran of the United States Navy, serving during World War II on the USS South Dakota. He was even present during the signing of the treaty with Japan in 1945 in Tokyo Bay. When he came home, he eventually got a job working for the United States Postal Service. He was a letter carrier for 36 years, working first in the Brightmoor area and then in Redford. He was respected there and was well-liked by his patrons, and even their dogs!

He loved bowling, and played on many leagues in the Redford and Livonia areas throughout the years. He also enjoyed golf and the outdoors, and introducing his children to all kinds of simple natural wonders, such as a beautiful night sky or the sound of a thunderstorm on the roof.

Pete was devoted to his family above anything else and was content to spend time with them. He always related to the children of our extended family, and was known as fun ‘Uncle Pete’, because he wouldn't hesitate to play with the kids. He and Madeline were fairly inseparable, and enjoyed a lot of the same things. As he was able to retire at a fairly young age, and remained retired for 34 years (!) they found time early on to travel to places like Florida, Mexico, Las Vegas, California, and New England. He especially loved the yearly family vacations to Oscoda.

He was always willing to lend a hand to anyone who needed help; whether it was fixing a car that was stranded, to picking up grandkids, with never a complaint. In later years he was a patient soul who helped to care for his wife, and never asked for much in return. He was a warm, funny, generous man who will be missed by all who knew him.