William Ancel Matthews, 90, of Imboden, died September 28, 2014 at Five Rivers Medical Center in Pocahontas. He was born August 6, 1924 in Smithville to Thomas Monroe and Martha Susan Winters Matthews. On May 25, 1949, he married Lucille Lewis in Walnut Ridge. Ancel was a graduate of Arkansas State University with a Bachelor of Science in Education. He taught math at Smithville, Lynn, Williford (10 years), and Sloan-Hendrix (29 years). Ancel was very active in the community, serving on the Imboden Town Council many years, as a Boy Scout Leader several years, and was a member of Imboden Methodist Church.
He was preceded in death by his parents; son, Tommy David Matthews; and brothers, Willard Matthews and Heston Matthews; and son-in-law, John Sutton.
Survivors include his wife, of the home; daughters, Ann Sutton of Pocahontas, Susan Taylor of Smithville, and Cindy Price of Paragould; grandchildren, Shawn Sutton, Brandon Sutton, Kyle Sutton, Dereik Taylor, Travis Taylor, Davida Smith, Matt Taylor, Alexandria Buckwalter, Kevin Matthews, Rachel Kelley, Jennifer Watkins, and Jessica Earls; several great-grandchildren.
Visitation will be Tuesday, September 30th, from 5 to 8pm at the Cox Funeral Home Chapel in Walnut Ridge. Funeral service will be Wednesday, October 1st, at 2pm at the Imboden Methodist Church in Imboden with Jerry Clements officiating. Burial will follow in Smithville Cemetery in Smithville under the direction of Cox Funeral Home.
Mr. Matthew’s grandsons will serve as pallbearers. Honorary pallbearers are Bill McCurley, Jim Jones, Gene Dearen, Sr., Mike Holland, Davis Matthews, Donnie Baker, David Taylor, Kenny Price, and all his former students.