William Bill Spencer Matis

Feb 24, 2015

1973-2015

William Bill Spencer Matis of Spanish Fork, Utah, passed away unexpectedly on February 20, 2015, due to complications resulting from cardiac arrest.

Bill was born May 26, 1973, in Santa Clara, California to Fred and Marilyn (Shattuck) Matis. He graduated from Wilcox High School in Santa Clara. He served a Spanish-speaking mission in New York City for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The president of Bills mission assured him a beautiful wife, if he worked hard throughout his time there. A promise Bill took very seriously.

He soon found his hard work and Spanish-speaking charm would pay off when he met and courted an amazing girl while working at Los Hermanos. In 1996, when Bill married the love of his life, Sara (Bird), in the Salt Lake Temple, he bragged that he had not just worked hard as a missionary, but won the lottery. The two continued their educations at BYU, and Bill graduated with a degree in Economics with a minor in Near Eastern and Ancient Studies.

The greatest joy of Bills life was his family. He was so proud of his children, Nathaniel (16) and Bront (12). All who knew and worked with Bill would hear accolades of these two dynamic kids. Bill loved attending their many football games, gymnastic meets, school and church activities, and other performances or celebrating academic accomplishments. Bill enjoyed traveling, learning new things about anything and everything, and then sharing his useful (or useless) trivia with others. He participated in several Ironman triathlons, as well as 50- and 100-mile endurance runs. He enjoyed being outdoors, hiking and camping in the many beautiful national parks of Utah. Bill loved teaching from the Old Testament in Sunday School at his church. Being widely read, he loved participating in doctrinal debates online, and in fact, would debate any topic with anyone willing to go toe-to-toe with him. Second to his love of family, was his love of sports, specifically Bill was an avid Giants and 49ers fan. He wrote football commentary for several national sports blogs and had fans of his own. His family is sure that if Bill can continue his mission in heaven, converting former 49ers to the gospel of Jesus Christ, he is in a happy place!

Bill Matis was preceded in death by his older brother, Stuart Matis. He is survived by his family: Fred and Marilyn Matis (parents); Jennifer Schoebinger, Elizabeth Steed, and Katherine Adams (sisters); Sara (wife), Nathaniel and Bronte (children). All are confident they will see their beloved Bill again, and hope to feel his presence passionately advocating for blessings on their behalf.

In lieu of flowers, please consider the Bill Matis Memorial Fund at Central Bank. A graveside service will be held on Thursday February 26, 2015 at 1:00 p.m. at the Spanish Fork Cemetery, 420 South 400 East.

Condolences may be sent to the family at www.walkerobits.com