Willie A. Matus

Willie A. Matus, age 91, of West, passed away early Thursday morning, October 24, 2013 at Quality Care Nursing Home in Waco. A rosary will be recited and Mass of Christian Burial celebrated 10:00 a.m. Saturday at St. Mary's Catholic Church of the Assumption in West, with Rev. Boniface Onjefu as celebrant. Military Graveside Rites will follow at St. Mary's Cemetery, conducted by West Veterans Honor Guard. The family will receive visitors from 5:30 to 7:00 p.m. Friday at Aderhold Funeral Home. Willie was born December 5, 1921 near West, the son of William and Albina (Krenek) Matus. He attended the Brooken School. On February 21, 1944 he was united in marriage to Willie Mae Prasifka in Columbia, South Carolina. She preceded him in death on March 11, 2009. Willie served his country in the United States Army as a Medical Aidman during WWII. He was a tire builder for General Tire and Rubber Company in Waco for over 20 years until his retirement in 1982. He was a member of St. Mary's Catholic Church of the Assumption in West and the V.F.W. Post No. 4819 of West. Willie loved to do carpentry work, making toys for all his grandchildren. He also loved doing jumbo puzzles and especially enjoyed spending time with his family. Willie is also preceded in death by his parents; a brother, Ben Matus; and a sister, Helen Girard. Survivors include a son, Richard Matus and wife Theresa of West; a daughter, Barbara Henry and husband Butch of Waco; a sister, Lucille Kveton and husband George; sisters-in-law, Martha Prasifka, Ida Drozd and Georgie Riggs and husband Jack; grandchildren, Brian Matus and wife Jennifer, Jennifer Tacker and husband Scott, Rebecca Barton and husband Craig, William Matus, Keith Henry and wife Kimberly, Kelly Henry and wife Dawn, and Kristi Hiland and husband Gary; great-grandchildren, Alex, Thomas, Max, Christian, Charlie, Gabe, Sawyer, Lauren, Madison, Tanner, Zach, Shawn, Duce and Camden; and many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. Active pallbearers are Gary Hiland, Keith Henry, Kelly Henry, Craig Barton, Will Matus and Brian Matus. Honorary pallbearers are his great grandchildren. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the West Volunteer Ambulance Association or to West Rest Haven Disaster Relief Fund.