Bill Delaney Mathews

Bill Delaney Mathews, of Calhoun, Georgia, died on Monday, November 17, 2025, at the age of ninety-seven.

Born in Dawson, Georgia, on February 17, 1928, Bill graduated from Dawson High School. He was both an excellent student and captain of his basketball team. Bill attended the University of Georgia where he met his future wife, Bobbie Starr. Upon graduation, he enlisted in the United States Army where he served three years attaining the rank of first lieutenant specializing in small firearms instruction at Fort Benning during the Korean War.

In 1950, Bill married Bobbie and joined James H. Starr in the insurance business in Calhoun, Georgia. This started a career that would span over forty-five years. Bill loved his work, and more importantly, he enjoyed the relationships with his employees and the customers he served.

Bill was active in his community serving on numerous boards and committees including the Calhoun City School Board and Rotary Club. He was part of an advisory group that brought the now Georgia Northwestern Technical College to Calhoun. Bill was a lifelong member of the of the Calhoun First United Methodist Church. He loved his family and friends and enjoyed many pastimes including golf, travel, dancing and good food. Known as Chief to his coworkers and Pappy to his grandchildren, Bill continued to be a University of Georgia Bulldog his entire life.

After retirement and after the death of his first wife, Bill was fortunate to find another life partner in Bettye Morgan Fincher. Married in 2010, Bill and Bettye were loving partners for over fifteen years.

Survivors include his wife, Bettye Fincher; son, William Mathews (Becky); son, Jim Mathews (Cathy); and daughter, Mary Mathews (Bill); four grandchildren, Helen Hartgen (Jeff); Susan Rutland (David); Robert Mathews (Ruth); Barton Mathews (Alison) and seven great grandchildren, Cate and Will Rutland; Jim, Rob and Henry Mathews; and Sutton and Emmie Mathews.

Bill was preceded in death by his wife, Bobbie Mathews; his parents, Zachary and Wilma Mathews; and his in-laws, James and Aurie Will Starr.

The family would like to express deep appreciation to the entire staff at The Fountains in Calhoun, Georgia, and to the providers from HomeSpun Hospice of Calhoun. The family is especially grateful for Ardelia Wright, Sylvia Toles, Brenda Little, and the caregivers from Georgia Care at Home including Aliyah Black, Camille Campbell, Ashley Holt, Denise Stansell and Julie Thompson.

Services are Monday, December 1, 2025, at 2 p.m. at the First United Methodist Church of Calhoun with Rev. Lori Ethridge and the Rev. Jeremy Noffsinger officiating. The family will receive friends at the church from 12 – 2 pm preceding the service.

Pallbearers include Robert Mathews, Barton Mathews, Jeff Hartgen, David Rutland, Ras Fincher, and Lee Fincher.

The family has requested In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made to United Way of Gordon County, PO Box 486, Calhoun, GA 30703