Willie Matties

Willie Matties of Yarrow B.C. passed away on March 4, 1992 at the Menno Hospital, Abbotsford, B.C. at age 76.

Willie was born December 7, 1915 to Wilhelm & Justina Matties in Siberia. His mother passed away when he was 5 and his father married Aganetha Klassen. In 1929, the Matties family immigrated to Saskatchewan. As a young adult, he gave his life to Jesus.

In 1943 he married Margaret Martens at LaGlace, Alberta. They moved to the Peace River, Alberta area, then to Yarrow, B.C., to Vancouver in 1949 and back to Yarrow in 1953.

Willie had a major accident in construction, resulting in poor health and difficulty working fulltime. In his last years he suffered from a liver ailment. He had a childlike faith that never wavered and felt getting down on his knees for prayer was important. He made friends wherever he went.

Willie served as a deacon at Yarrow M.B. Church, helped with MCC and handled bookings and maintenance at Columbia Bible Camp, serving willingly.

Willie loved his family deeply, sough peace rather than misunderstandings in the home and tried to make his wife as happy as she had made him.

He is mourned by his wife Margaret; Children Evelyn (Arthur) Janzen of Abbotsford, B.C.; Vic (Ann) of Surrey, B.C. ad Ruth (Tony) Hume of Saltspring Island, B.C. 10 grandchildren stepmother Agnes Matties of the Menno Home, Abbotsford, B.C., 3 brothers and 5 sisters. He was predeceased by his parents; his sister Liese and brother Abe. A funeral for Willie Matties was held March 7, 1992 in Yarrow M.B. Church with Ron Braun and Wilf Richert ministering. Pall bearers were Richard Janzen, Craig Janzen, Susi Janzen, Walter Martens, Grace Matties Hindmarsh and Robert Janzen. Interment was at Yarrow Cemetery.