William "Big Willie" Mathis, Sr.

Mr. William “Big Willie” Mathis, Sr., age 69, of Vidalia, died Wednesday, September 16, 2020, in Piedmont Hospital in Atlanta after a brief illness.  He was a native of Wheeler County and lived in Vidalia most of his life.  He worked with Oxford Industries in Vidalia for twenty-five years and for the past nineteen years worked at Onion City Package in Vidalia.  Willie was a member of Ruth’s Chapel United Methodist Church where he was choir leader and taught the Adult Sunday School Class.  He enjoyed small engine repair.  He was preceded in death by his parents, Troy Mathis and Thedus Warren Mathis; and six brothers and sisters.

Mr. Mathis is survived by his wife of fifty-two years, June Arnold Mathis of Vidalia; three children, Robert Mathis and wife Kathy of Alston, Brian Mathis and wife Angie, and Mindy Mathis Thigpen and husband Jeffery all of Ailey; five grandchildren, Avery Mathis and fiancé Izzy Petite of Lyons, Macy Weeks of Ft. Myers, Florida, Chase Weeks of Ailey, Megan Mathis of Brooklet, and Haze Thigpen of Ailey; five siblings, Maryann Adams of Dublin, Pee Wee Mathis and wife Ann of Vidalia, Martha Floyd, Jean Sunday, and Eddie Dean Mathis and wife Rhonda, all of Alamo; and numerous nieces and nephews.

The family will receive friends at Ruth’s Chapel United Methodist Church Cemetery on Saturday afternoon from 2:00 until 4:00.

A graveside funeral service will be held Saturday, September 19th, at 4:00 p.m. in Ruth’s Chapel United Methodist Church Cemetery with Pastor Brian Durden officiating.

In lieu flowers, memorial contributions may be made to The Methodist Home for Children and Youth, 304 Pierce Ave., Macon, GA 31204, or by visiting their website at themethodisthome.org

The family has asked all family and friends attending the visitation and service to wear a mask and to social distance.

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