Retired Director of Support Services at URI, William R. Matteson, Passes at 72
Friday, July 16, 2021
William R. Matteson, 72, of Wakefield, slipped away peacefully on July 8, 2021, at his home with his wife by his side.
He died from Frontotemporal Degeneration with ALS. He was the beloved husband of Pamela L. (Spaulding) Matteson.
Born in Providence, he was the son of Philip and Marion (Potter) Matteson.
He received a bachelor’s degree from Bates College and a Master’s degree from the University of Rhode Island. Bill worked at URI for 43 years starting in security and retiring as director of Support Services.
An avid dahlia grower, he was a member of the RI Dahlia Society and the National Dahlia Society. He was a lifelong sport fisherman and a member of the Rhode Island Saltwater Anglers. His love of fishing was passed on to his son who he taught to fish as soon as he could hold a rod. Nothing made Bill happier than spending the day on the ocean or a lake fishing with Phil.
Bill was a former coach for South Kingstown Little League. He led Phil and his teammates on the team sponsored by Hal’s Garage to the SKLL 2005 championship. Bill had a special place in his heart for Moonstone beach where he made lifelong friends and met his wife Pam. He had a loud booming voice and an infectious laugh. He was stubborn and opinionated and had a wicked sense of humor. He gave big bear hugs and “face rakers”. He made up words and phrases which became part of the vocabulary of those who knew him. “The chuggies are biting”. With his boundless energy, he created a whimsical garden overflowing with roses and dahlias, flowering shrubs and lilies. The garden was often featured on local garden tours. Blooms from his property were picked daily and made into beautiful bouquets which he left on doorsteps and desktops of friends and coworkers.
Bill’s family would like to thank the Perryville community which gave so much love and support throughout Bill’s illness; also to Beacon Hospice and his caregivers Sarah, Julia, Dee, and Amanda.
Besides his wife, he leaves a son Philip R. Matteson his fiancée Kimberly Rameika of Wakefield, and a brother Robert E. Matteson and wife Helen of East Greenwich.
A celebration of his life will be held on August 6, 2021, at 4 pm at the South Kingstown Land Trust,17 Matunuck Beach Road, Wakefield.
Memorial contributions in Bill’s memory may be made to the South Kingstown Land Trust or to Dr. Dickerson’s Dementia research program.
To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of William R. Matteson, please visit the floral store.
