William H Matzinger

William Matzinger, 78, resident of Lakewood, Colorado, died on Sunday December 23, 2012 at Saint Anthony Hospital. Bill was born in Toledo, Ohio on February 25, 1934. He served as a sonar man on the destroyer U.S.S. Strong DD-758 in the Navy from 1952-1955 during the Korean War. He was married to Betty Irene Lundquist on November 26, 1955. They were married for 58 years. Bill spent his working career at AT&T as a manager consultant from 1955-1989 specializing in personnel management. During his career he used his knowledge to benefit minorities by providing consultative services to minority owned companies on his own time. He served as a deacon in the church. He was a member of The Rocky Mountain Shipwrights, specializing in building models of tall ships. He served as the chaplain in the All Veterans Honor Guard 178 providing military funeral honors for veterans. Bill was survived by his spouse Betty Matzinger; three children: Dianne Weisman, Debra Kooser, Darcy Sowards; three son-in-laws: Louis Weisman, Brian Kooser, C.E. †œSkip†� Sowards; four grandchildren: Brad Weisman, Julie Weisman, Alex Sowards, Olivia Kooser, two great-grandchildren Bradford Weisman, Jr. and Ryleigh Weisman. We as a family would appreciate that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the Honor Guard in order to continue the service provided by our beloved husband, father and grandfather. Thru rain or sleet or heat or snow, the American Legion Honor Guard will go. To perform their duties on command in honor of all those who defended this land. Their gesture of good deeds for the family bereaved will bring comfort and closure to what they have achieved. American Legion Honor Guard is a Non-Profit organization. To make a donation to the American Legion Honor Guard: Make checks payable to: All Veterans Honor Guard 178 (WM Matzinger) 1655 Simms St. Lakewood, CO 80215 William Matzinger proudly served in the American Legion Honor Guard in the past years. What does the Honor Guard do? The Honor Guard provides the last tribute to America's fallen veterans. They provide military funeral honors at graveside services for veterans upon family request. Bill proudly participated in honoring those who served our country at their deaths. He served as both chaplain and guard member. After serving in the Navy during the Korean War, he felt that it was important to honor his fellow veterans. The Honor Guard provides a source of comfort to grieving families, knowing that their loved one†™s contribution has not been forgotten. The Honor Guard from American Legion Post 178 with whom Bill served is a small group of volunteers that take the trip to Fort Logan Cemetery three times a week or more doing up to five services a day. They make the trip no matter the weather and Bill would go despite his health in the cold and snow. He was not an exception to the rule. These men all have served in the military and hold it as an honor and a grave responsibility to honor their comrades. Their small group is not well funded and is run on a volunteer basis. All monies contributed will go toward paying for fuel for trips to the cemetery, upkeep of their van, and ammunition for and upkeep of the rifles used in the funeral salutes.