Obituary for
Matthew Francis Wills
Matthew Wills, 68. February 23, 1949-April 16, 2017.
Matthew ‘Skip’ Francis Wills, 68, of St Albans, VT, succumbed to lung cancer on April 16th while residing at the VNA McClure Miller Respite House in Colchester, VT.
Matt was born February 23, 1949 in Washington, D.C. to Francis and Josephine Wills, and raised in Poughkeepsie, NY, where he grew up with an abiding love of music (especially the Beatles), learned to play keyboard and performed in a variety of bands over the years. Matt loved to act, joining the Essex Community Players in a number of plays, and was proud to say that some of his children carried on the family tradition. Matt also explored his love of music and performance by working as a DJ for WVMT and held the honor of being the official “Voice of Vermont” for VT PBS advertising and voiceovers.
Matt was passionate about starting and running the online magazine Virtual Vermont, highlighting historical and tourist information about the many wonders of the Green Mountain State, including a detailed photographic list of covered bridges in the state. His other interests included way-marking historic locations, calligraphy, photography, and correct grammar.
Matthew is survived by his wife Mary of 23 years, daughter Meaghan Sims and her husband Jacob, daughter Jessica Wills, step-son Jeremiah Schofield and his wife Joanna, son Caleb Wills, son Joseph Wills, foster-daughter Kayla Evans, and seven grandchildren: Suzanna, Phoenix, Dodavah, Shelomith, Sabbalyah, Elishevah, and Henry. Matthew is preceded in death by his parents, Francis and Josephine.
The family would like to offer a special thank you to the Visiting Nurses Association Respite House for their loving care and support of Matthew and his family during the final days of his life.
A small private memorial service will be held for Matthew in the near future. In lieu of flowers or memorials, the family is requesting donations be made to the Visiting Nurse Association of Chittenden and Grand Isle Counties in Matthew’s name.
