William Graham Matthews

   William Graham “Will” Matthews, 83, of 145 Hertford Beach Road, Hertford, NC, passed away Monday, June 10, 2024 in his home where he was being cared for by family.

   Mr. Matthews was born in Perquimans County on July 30, 1940, and was the son of the late Richard Eskeridge and Ida Harris Sawyer Matthews. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a sister, Marjorie Holland, and by a brother, Donald Richard Matthews.

   Retired from the Maintenance Department with IXL Furniture in Elizabeth City following 27 years of employment, he also worked as a commercial fisherman for many years. He was a member of Burgess Baptist Church.

   Surviving is his wife of 55 years, Julie Boyce Matthews; two daughters, Elaine Crawford (husband, Tom) of Manassas, VA and Lisa Harrell (husband, Paul) of Hertford; two sons, Willie Matthews (wife, Tina) of Hertford and Bobby Matthews (wife, Carola) of Jacksonville, FL; two sisters, Ida Saunders and Carolyn Meads, both of Hertford; 12 grandchildren; 27 great-grandchildren; and a great-great-granddaughter.

   Funeral services will be held Wednesday at 2:00 p.m. in the Miller & Van Essendelft Funeral Chapel, 1125 Harvey Point Road, Hertford, and will be conducted by The Rev. Don Carter. A private burial will follow in Cedarwood Cemetery. Friends may visit with the family in the funeral home immediately following the service, and other times at the residence.

   In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Burgess Baptist Church, 1850 Harvey Point Road, Hertford, NC 27944.

   Online condolences may be made by visiting www.millerfhc.com.