William Peter "Bill" Mathews, 88, passed away on April 15, 2016 after a long illness.

Bill was born in Hinton, West Virginia on December 11, 1927. He was the president of theclass of 1946 at Hinton High School, and earned degrees from Concord College, West Virginia University and the Illinois College of Optometry.

In 1958, Bill married the love of his life, Cleopatra "Cleo" Maroudas of Williamson, West Virginia. Both were the children of Greek immigrants.

Bill was a generous and warm-hearted man. He found enduring contentment in his lifelong companionship with Cleo; great pleasure as a father of two daughters; and joy as a grandfather of four grandchildren.

His Christian faith was a cornerstone of his life. He was a lay reader in the Episcopal Church, served on the vestry for many years, and along with Cleo, instilled a strong faith in his daughters and grandchildren. He loved celebrating Christmas.

Education was extremely important to him. He was an avid reader and explored new ideas and skills throughout his life, and this curious nature served as an example to others.

He was known throughout Summers County and beyond as a thorough, skilled, and caring optometrist who took time to put a patient at ease, and would forgo payment for his services when necessary.

Bill was a leader in the community, serving on the Summers County Board of Education, and in leadership positions of civic organizations ranging from the Elks to the Chamber of Commerce, to various Masonic bodies including the Hinton Masonic Lodge AMFM 62 (32nd Degree), the Scottish Rite, and the Beni Kedem Shrine Temple.

He was known on 8th Avenue in Hinton for his beautiful rose garden and as the organizer of fun, who set off fireworks, painted in watercolors and oils, gave chess lessons, and, at one point, lead an ill-fated neighborhood wide restoration of a not-so-gently-used convertible.

Music brought great enjoyment to his life, particularly the Big Band songs that he learned to play on the saxophone during his high school and college years. He was a great dancer. He loved all manner of contraptions and gadgets, from his ham radio to his cameras. He was a fan of crossword puzzles.

Through the way he lived, Bill taught his children and grandchildren enduring values: an unshakeable loyalty to family and friends; a belief in the importance of giving of yourself to others and your community; and a conviction that all people should be treated with dignity and fairnessyoung or old, poor or rich, man or woman, all faiths, all ethnicities.

He is survived by his loving wife Cleo Maroudas Mathews; his beloved daughters Stephanie Mathews O'Keefe, and Sylvia Mathews Burwell, their husbands Joseph O'Keefe and Stephen Burwell; four grandchildren, William Jeremiah O'Keefe; Annette Cleopatra O'Keefe; Helene Marie Burwell; and Matthew Ledgen Burwell, and nephews James, Phillip and Tom Polyson.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Pete and Mary Aryiropolous Mathews and his sisters, Katherine and Georgia.

Bill and his family are grateful for the unparalleled kind, loving and compassionate care he received at Main Street Care, from Dr. Andy Chhabra, and from Kathy McHenry, his Hospice nurse. Everyone treated Bill as if he were a member of their family.

Members of the Hinton Masonic Lodge will serve as pallbearers. Joe Bigony, Chuck Gwinn, Jackie Scott, Harry Keaton, Ted Giles, Kim Bennett, Robert Morriss, Davis Ritter, Jason Gore and Bill Lightner will serve as honorary pallbearers.

Funeral services will be held Monday, April 18, at 11:00 a.m. at Ascension Episcopal Church, 5th Avenue and Temple Street, Hinton with the Very Rev. Kent Higgins officiating. Burial with Masonic graveside rites will follow in Greenbrier Burial Park, Hinton. There will be a visitation from 6 until 8 p.m. Sunday, April 17 at Pivont Funeral Home.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Ascension Episcopal Church; 222 5th Ave. Hinton, WV 25951, or Main Street Care; 1500 Terrace Street, Hinton, WV 25951.