William Anthony

Matchett

William Anthony Matchett was the third child born to the late Josephine Miller Matchett and the late Johnson Marchett, Sr., in Mobile, Alabama. William was known by many names, to his family and friends in Alabama, he was called Billy. To his University of Kentucky classmates, he was Bill. Professionally he was William. To his early students, he was called Coach. To his elementary students he was Mr. Magic. To his later students, staff, and colleagues he was Mr. Matchett. His friends in Griffin, he was Matchett. One name. That is all that was needed for a man who touched so many.

He received a love for Christ at an early age uniting with the Big Zion AME Zion Church in Mobile, Alabama. He was a member of the Willi8amson High School Class of 1965. He furthered his education at Alabama State University, where he earned a B.S. Degree in Health and Physical Education in May 1970. His teaching career began in Indianola, Mississippi as a baseball coach and Physical Education Teacher. He then traveled to Atlanta where he worked at Atlanta University and Atlanta Metropolitan College. Eventually he would take a job working in Griffin-Spalding (G-S) County Schools. In his early years he taught P.E. in elementary school, and coached on the Junior High and High School levels.

In 2018, William was honored for his achievements when he was inducted into the 2018 Class of the Griffin-Spalding County Schools Educator's Hall of Fame, along with his late wife, Georgie McCrary Matchett. The two were married in December, 1971, and were blessed with two daughters, Nikita and Kimberly.

After 74 years, William was called home by his Heavenly Father on March 12, 2023. He was preceded in death by his parents, Johnson and Josephine Matchett, Sr., as well as his wife, Georgie. He leaves to cherish his memory, two daughters, Nikita (Ahmir) McCage, and Kimberly Matchett, M.D. both of Henry County, Georgia; five grandchildren, Kennedy and Kameron McCage, Zanya, Corwin, and Giana Character; a loving companion, Ms. Florence Lyons; two brothers, Johnson Matchett, Jr., of Stone Mountain, GA, and Wayne (Deborah) Matchett of Mobile, AL; two sisters, Sandra Nobles and Myra (Ronald) Davis both Mobile, AL. He also leaves a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends that will miss him dearly.

Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. Omega Ceremony, Sunday, March 19, 2023, from 3:00 PM - 4:00 PM at St. Phillip AME Church located at