William Leroy Mathers, age 89, died Saturday, June 15, in Fargo, ND, surrounded by his daughters. Bill was born September 29, 1923, in Mobeetie, TX, to Violet Rees Mathers and George Benjamin Mathers. He was raised in Canadian, Texas, where he graduated from Canadian High School in 1940. He graduated from the New Mexico Military Institute in 1942 and attended the University Of Texas School Of Law. In January of 1943, he entered the U.S. Army. He served as a ball turret gunner on a B24 crew with the 737th Bomb Squadron in the 454th Bomber Group of the 15th Army Air Corps. He was honorably discharged in October of 1945.
He married Mary Charlotte Word on June 16, 1946. Following their marriage, they ranched in Canadian, TX. In 1951, Bill and his family moved to Miles City, MT, where he and his brother Frank operated the Mathers Brothers Ranch, which later became the Mathers Land Company. Frank and his wife, Betty, died in a plane crash in 1979. Bill continued the ranching operation until 2005, when he sold the ranch and retired. In January 2012, he moved to the Touchmark retirement community in Fargo, ND.
Public service was a prominent part of Bill’s life. In 1958, he was elected to the Custer County Elementary School District Board of Trustees. He served until 1967, including one term as chairman. In 1960, he was elected to the Montana House of Representatives. He served in the House until 1964, when he was elected to the Senate. He served in the Senate until 1980, including being unanimously elected as President of the Senate in 1979. From 1981 to 1987, Bill served as a director of the Federal Reserve 9th District Board of Governors, Minneapolis, MN. He served under both Paul Volker and Alan Greenspan. He was the first chairman of the lay advisory board of the Federal Reserve Board and chaired the audit committee for two years. From 1988 to 1993, he served as a member of the Montana Board of Regents. He was Chairman of the Board of Regents from 1990 to 1993. In 1994, Bill was the recipient of the Montana State University Blue and Gold Award for his widespread impact on agriculture. Bill was an ordained elder in the Presbyterian Church and a member of the Presbyterian Church of Miles City for more than 50 years. He was a founding member of the Miles City Town & Country Club and a member and president of the Miles City Club. If Bill were asked to name hobbies, he would say over the course of his life he enjoyed golfing, bridge, travel and piloting his private aircraft. His true joy came from time spent with his wife of 55 years and his family.
Bill was preceded in death by his wife Charlotte of Miles City, MT, who died in 2001, his parents of Canadian, TX, and his brother, Frank, of Miles City. He is survived by his five daughters: Margaret Novak (Mike) of Chester, MT, Sharon Secor (Gary) of Fargo, ND, Barbara Mathers-Schmidt (Bob) of Bellingham, WA, Libby Gardner (Marshall) of Boise, ID and Mimi Meredith (Greg) of Hutchinson, KS; 13 grandchildren: William (Abby) Novak, Andrea Novak Klein (Charlie), Jennifer Secor Nelson (Dan), Molly Secor-Turner (Ryan), Laura Secor Sundberg (Dan), Emily Secor May (Colin), Jonathan Schmidt, Michael Schmidt, Erin Gardner, Kelly Gardner, William Meredith, Patrick Meredith and Mary Charlotte Meredith; seven great grandchildren: Rees Turner, Maddy Turner, Emmett Turner, Jonas Nelson, Charlotte Nelson, Wynne Novak and Maggie Sundberg; his brother Ben (Sandra) of Canadian, TX, and his nieces and nephews whom he loved dearly.
Friends are welcome to celebrate Bill’s life at services in both Fargo and Miles City. The Fargo celebration will be held at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, June 18 at Touchmark, 1200 Harwood Dr. In Miles City, the family will receive friends from 5 to 7 p.m. on Thursday, June 20th, at Stevenson and Sons Funeral Home, and a celebration of Bill’s life will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, June 21 at First Presbyterian Church. Interment will follow at Custer County Cemetery.
Memorial gifts may be made to the Bill and Charlotte Mathers Family Foundation, or the organization of the donor’s choice.
Service Schedule
Family to Receive Friends
5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Thursday June 20, 2013
Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home
1717 Main Street
Miles City, MT 59301
Memorial Service
11:00 a.m.
Friday June 21, 2013
First Presbyterian Church
1401 Main Street
Miles City, MT 59301
Service Schedule
Family to Receive Friends
5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Thursday June 20, 2013
Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home
1717 Main Street
Miles City, MT 59301
Memorial Service
11:00 a.m.
Friday June 21, 2013
First Presbyterian Church
1401 Main Street
Miles City, MT 59301
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Don and Patty Herzog says
Dear Mathers Family,
What a great picture of your Father! There are probably not many Miles Citians who were not touched in some kind way by the Bill Mathers family! We hold fond memories and send our sincere sympathy to all of you.
Donnie and Patty
Sharon Wilcox says
My thoughts and prayers are with the Mathers family. Bill was a great supporter of Miles Community College and all of Miles City. As Chair of the Board of Regents Bill worked diligently to make sure that MCC was taken care of. Bill and I shared several stories about the Texas Panhandle. I truly enjoyed visiting with him over the years.
Jim & Cathy Bastian says
Hello Mathers family, We are so sorry to hear of the passing of your wonderful dad. We were so fortunate to get to visit with him when he would be here in Miles City and want to order groceries. What a kind hearted, polite soul he was! He always made you feel as though you were a special friend as he visited with you. Bill leaves a remarkable legacy in each one of you, the world is a better place because he was here, and we are thankful to have known him. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all! Love Jim & Cathy Bastian
Chris Choate Raible says
My prayers go out to you Mimi and your family at this time. I’m sorry to hear of Mr. Mather’s passing. Take care.
Chris Choate Raible
Stephani Schumacher-Daniels says
Mimi and family,
I am sorry to hear of the loss of your father. My thoughts and prayers are with you today.
Stephani
Linda and Richard Meidinger says
So sorry to hear of the loss of you girls father. I knew
a few of the girls quite a few years ago. From either Holy Rosary
or the VA hospital. My sister and her husband lived on the ranch and
worked for Bill and Marshall for several years and enjoyed them both.
That was Lola and Brad Sigvaldsen. We have moved to S.D. since we retired.
Hope all of your wonderful memories of both your parents help you through this
difficult time. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all. Linda & Richard
Rod & Sue Heitschmidt says
Dear daughters and families,
Sue and I just learned of the passing of your father a few minutes ago visiting with Jo Day. We were saddened with his death but happy for the years we neighbored with your Dad and Mom and later with just your Dad. There are few folk in Montana that have had greater positive impact on Montana than the Bill Mather’s. What a blessing to call him friend and agriculture colleague. Rejoice and be proud that you are Bill and Charlotte Mather’s daughters. Our love and best to all of you including that North Dakotan “spud” lover. (Just kidding Gary!)
Fondly, Rod & Sue Heitschmidt
Jane (Brown) Pallister says
Margaret, Sharon, Barb, Libby & Mimi:
I am so sorry to hear about your dad’s death…..he was such a great man……always so kind and wonderful to everyone. I have such fond memories of your parents and am very thankful for the times I got to spend in your home growing up. Thoughts are with all of you during this difficult time.
In Sympathy & Friendship,
Jane
Dean Holmes says
a wonderful public service record and one of the nicest people you would ever meet. Montana is richer for his service. Mayor B DeanHolmes
Carroll South says
I served in the legislature, representing Miles City, with Bill from 1975 through 1980 and would fly with him in his plane to Helena and back during the interim. I also remodeled his kitchen in the 70’s. As a politician, he was a role model and we need many more like him in politics today. My condolences.
Jo Ridgeway says
They broke the mold after Bill was made. A gentleman, smarter than a whip, kind, funny, a huge laugh, always looking out for the public good. Bill’s service on the Miles City Public Library Foundation was so beneficial to the library. He will be missed by all who knew him and he knew many.
Kristi (Bowman) and Ken Stein says
Our prayers and thoughts are with you. It is so sad to see another Monarch of Miles City passing on to be with his Heavenly Father. We have such fond memories of Bill and Charlotte sharing their lives with the Bowmans. We regret that we will be out town and not be at either service, But be well assured that our Hugs and Loves are with each and everyone of you. Your father will be greatly missed by so many!! Blessing Kristi and Ken.
Robyn Barthelmess says
Libby and the Mathers Family,
Mt thoughts and prayers are with all of you at this time with the passing of your dad. I had the honor of working with him, doing his campaign adds for the Miles City Star, and later when he was traveling to and from Helena (at Big Sky Airlines). I had some of the best conversations about ranching, politics, and many other subjects with both of your parents, and to say that they left a lasting impression doesn’t begin to cover it. Your dad , his wisdom and laughter will be greatly missed by so many of us, and both of your parents remembered so fondly. May God surround you with His love and peace at this time. Robyn
J Johnson says
Dear Family and friends of William Leroy Mathers – Please be comforted by the beautiful memories and qualities of Mr. Mathers. The qualities recognized by family and friends as listed above indicated that he showed much love and concern for family and friends. Also please be comforted by the sure hope of Bible promises that will be fulfilled. In the Bible book of Genesis, we notice that God intended for mankind to live in perfect conditions in the Garden of Eden, which was a paradise where everything was “very good” (Gen 1:31). Suffering and death were not a part of God’s purpose but was introduced through Adam’s disobedience (Gen 2:17). There will come a time when the dead are resurrected (John 5:28, 29) and death will be done away with (Revelation 21:4) Meanwhile we have the opportunity to continue to take in Bible knowledge that leads to everlasting life and gives us comfort and hope (John 17:3).
Karen & Kristi Bowman says
Margaret, Sharon, Barb, Libby, Mimi and families,
Our lives have been enriched by a life-long friendship with the Mathers’. The unique bond of friendship created by our parents surrounded our famililes with a circle of caring and nurturing. This now is an enduring joy and strength of spirit in our lives.
We join you in celebrating the “Gentle Giant” your Dad was, in his family and in his civic contributions to our world.
May you be surrounded now and always by our love.
Jack and Clare Doran says
Dear Libby, We were sorry to hear of your Dad’s passing. It is so hard to lose a parent. May our Lord send his peace to you. Sincerely, Jack & Clare.
Roger & Janice Provost says
Dear Margaret, Sharon, Barbra, Libby, Mimi & family,
I just learned today of the passing of your father. As the “little boy” next door I was saddened with his death but so pleased to have Bill as a role model for so many years. Every year when I was able to return to Miles City it was a pleasure to be able to visit with him about his life, politics, business and his family. Montana, Custer County, and Miles City were very lucky to have the services of Bill for more than half a century. When it came to raising a family, Bill and Charlotte were “Miles’ above the rest. Five beautiful daughters all with wonderful families. What a wonderful legacy. I will certainly miss my next door neighbor.
Marie Farnum Kluver says
Mathers Family,
My thoughts and prayers are with you. Your Dad was a wonderful person. God Bless You.
Jan and Steve VanFossen & Family says
To All The Mathers Family: We send our condolences in the passing of your wonderful Father, Grandfather, and Uncle. Bill and Charlotte were wonderful examples of a kind, caring and loving family. We saw the pictures that were posted of your trip to your former ranch. What a wonderful way to remember and send your love. Your families are blessed and growing so that love continues onward. Hold tight to those memories. God Bless.
Inez Mattke says
Libby and family….What a legacy your Dad has left on the Montana Community & the USA. I’m sure he was very very proud of you! Thanks for the great visit to your ranch “way” back! Hugs, Love, & God Bless….Inez (Hunter) Mattke ’75 MSU Alpha Gam sis