“You can be oh so smart, or oh so pleasant. Well, for years I was smart. … I recommend pleasant. You may quote me.” — Elwood P. Dowd in the film Harvey, portrayed by Jimmy Stewart
William F. Matthews, known to those who loved him as Bill, died Oct. 10 after living with Parkinson’s disease for 17 years. Slowly taking his last breaths while listening to Irish pub music, Bill left quietly, holding on several times before slipping away. His daughter remarked, “I think he wanted one more jig.”
Bill was born in Syracuse, N.Y. An identical twin, he grew up surrounded by his seven siblings, whom he stayed very close with his entire life. It was during his teen years that Bill developed a passion for golf, a hobby and sport that stayed with him forever.
One of his proudest accomplishments was graduating from Syracuse University’s Newhouse School of Public Communications with a bachelor’s degree in broadcast journalism in December 1977. While attending Syracuse, Bill started in radio as the night-shift announcer: “The time and temperature are …”
From radio, Bill moved into public television, scoring his first job at WCNY-TV on the fundraising team, helping with the station’s on-air auction. He tackled entry-level tasks with such boundless energy that the station moved him into the position of auction chief/director, where he earned PBS Development awards for breaking fundraising records. While at WCNY-TV, Bill also caught the eye of Tom Fanella, but more on that later.
Life is full of twists, and it was his love of golf and Arnold Palmer that turned his attention to Florida, where he moved to Palm Beach Gardens to work at building PGA National, a resort golf community that thrives to this day. Fun fact: Signage that Bill created still hangs at the resort.
Colorado called next, and Bill moved westward to Colorado Springs staking his claim in real estate. He worked at ERA Shields and alongside his brother Jim selling land and helping families find a home on the Front Range.
Bill relished working with his brother Jim, but something was missing. After a visit to the Shrine of St. Jude outside the Broadmoor Hotel, a fateful telephone call from Tom Fanella (his mentor and friend from WCNY) prompted Bill’s next move to San Jose, Calif., where he landed at KTEH-TV to create the station’s first on-air auction. This was no small task, given the need to make business connections in an unfamiliar community. Finding his home in San Jose and working for KTEH became a dream job for Bill.
During his time with the station, he served as auction manager, VP of development, and station manager. He succeeded in winning multiple PBS auction and fundraising awards. Besides building one of the country’s most successful on-air auctions, he spearheaded many other events, including the station’s golf tournament and on-air art auction. Moreover, he was instrumental in bringing opera superstar Luciano Pavarotti to the San Jose Arena. Critics questioned why Pavarotti would sing arias in an ice-hockey arena, but Bill’s attention to detail and community connections brought KTEH acclaim and fundraising support for backing this record-breaking event.
Never one to let the grass grow under his feet, Bill and his wife Lisa left San Jose to open Imagine Homes back in Colorado Springs in 2002. Once again partnering with his brother Jim, the team built and sold homes on two- to 40-acre parcels, fulfilling the dream of home ownership for many military families.
Career twists kept Bill’s spirit of fundraising alive. He retired in 2018 after a decade as the director of stewardship and development for the Diocese of San Jose, California. One of his biggest accomplishments was helping the Vietnamese community raise funds to rebuild its church and school after a fire in 2012. Naysayers said the parishioners would never raise enough money. Bill countered that idea and brought together Vietnamese business leaders and community activists. Our Lady of La Vang reopened in 2023.
Bill is survived by his wife, Lisa Besso Matthews; daughter Meara; siblings Marie, Jim, Richard, Larry (Denise), Ken, Dan and Elizabeth (David); nieces Joslyn and Aubrey; nephews Brian, Joseph and Cole; and numerous cousins throughout the country. Parents Joseph and Margaret June Matthews preceded Bill in death.
A family celebration of life was held for Bill in Colorado Springs. For anyone wishing to donate in Bill’s name, the family suggests St. Jude’s Children Hospital.
The quote from the movie Harvey sums up Bill’s life. Not only did he enjoy watching Jimmy Stewart movies, but he also embodied the spirit of eternal kindness. So many have remarked that Bill is remembered for his kindness, patience and, most of all, for being a pleasant human.