William Ellis (Bill) Matyastik

2008 Officer Corps

MASONIC HISTORY

Bill was raised to the sublime degree of a Master Mason on July 20, 1965, in Waco Lodge No. 92 A.F. & A.M. He affiliated with John Armstrong Lodge No. 291 on June 15, 1998, and served as Worshipful Master 2000-2001. He is endowed in Waco Lodge No. 92, John Armstrong Lodge No.291, and Tranquility Lodge.

He became a member of the Waco Scottish Rite Bodies and Karem Shrine Temple on July 31, 1965. He is endowed in the Scottish Rite, and has served on various degree teams. He was invested with the rank of Knight Commander of the Court of Honour on October 3, 2001. He served as auditor for Karem Temple from 1973 to 1982, and was on the Directors’ staff for four years.

He was exalted as a Companion of the Royal Arch degree in Waco Chapter #45 on November 9, 1966, and greeted in Waco Council #33 on November 10, 1966. He is endowed in both bodies. He served as High Priest of Waco Chapter in 1973; Grand Junior Steward for the Grand Chapter in 1975; District Deputy Grand High Priest for District #18 in 1997; Grand Treasurer 1996-2003; Order of High Priesthood in 1973. He served as Thrice Illustrious Master of Waco Council in 1972; Grand Treasurer 1996-2003; Order of the Silver Trowel in 1972. He received the degree of Super Excellent Master November 6, 1967.

He was knighted in Waco Commandery No. 10 on March 15, 1967. Served as commander in 1974. Plural membership with Tancred Commandery #83 in 1999. He is endowed in both commanderies.

Member of Texas York Rite College #14 since May 13, 1995, and is endowed. Received the Order of the Purple Cross on July 28, 2001. Member of Demolay Conclave Chapter of the Knights of the Red Cross of Constantine since May 9, 1992. Server as Puissant Sovereign in 2002. He is a life member of the Royal Order of Scotland, initiated on September 3, 1996.

He received the Knight York Cross of Honor December 2001 in Texas Priory No. 23. He was initated into the Waco-Connally Chapter #482 of National Sojourners on June 11, 1999, and is a member in perpetuity. He is a charter member of Texas Chapter Knight Preceptors, and presided as Preceptor in 2006. He is a member of the Texas Lodge of Research.

Bill and Maggie were initated into Waco Chapter No. 7 Order of the Eastern Star on September 15, 1977. Served together as Worthy Patron and Worthy Matron 2001-2002. They are dual members with Marlin Chapter No. 286.

In April 1999 he was elected Grand Sentinel of the Grand Commandery Knights Templar of Texas, the bottom of the line in Texas. On April 21, 2008, he was installed and is currently serving as Grand Commander of the Grand Commandery Knights Templar of Texas

Obituary

William Ellis (Bill) Matyastik passed from this life on January 23, 2018. Services will be at First Baptist Church, Waco, at 10:00 AM on Saturday January 27, 2018. Burial will follow at Oakwood Cemetery. Visitation will be at Oakcrest Funeral Home, 4520 Bosque Avenue, from 5:00 to 7:00 PM on Friday January 26, 2018.

Bill was born on April 27, 1932, the eldest of seven children, to parents William Paul and Rose Antonia Matyastik. He graduated from Yoe High School in Cameron, Texas in 1950. He served two years in the U.S. Army during the Korean Conflict. After separation from the Army, he worked in his father’s cotton gin and farm implement business in which he had grown up. His experience as young son in that business developed a strong work ethic which he applied in every endeavor of life.

A series of potentially disastrous accidents prompted him to pursue an education for a different line of work. He graduated from Texas Agricultural and Mechanical College in 1960 with a Bachelor of Business Administration degree in accounting. He accepted a position as an Internal Revenue agent (field auditor) with the U.S. Treasury, which he held until 1969, and was assigned four years in El Paso and five years in Waco. In August 1969 he began his private practice of tax preparation and representation of taxpayers before the Internal Revenue Service, in which he was actively engaged until recent years when Alzheimer’s disease forced his retirement. The family business of Matyastik Tax Service continues to serve its clients today.

Bill married Maggie Marie Schulz in Burlington, Texas, on August 25, 1953. They have resided in Waco since 1964 and have been members of First Baptist Church Waco for fifty-three years. Bill was ordained a deacon in that church in November 1966.

He was an endowed member of Waco Masonic Lodge No. 92, John Armstrong Lodge No. 291, Tranquility Lodge No. 2000, Waco York Rite Bodies, and Waco Scottish Rite Bodies. He served John Armstrong Lodge as Worshipful Master and each of the Waco Rite Bodies as presiding officer. He was a member of the Order of the Eastern Star and served as Worthy Patron 2001-2002.

Bill was Grand Treasurer for the Grand Royal Arch Chapter of Texas and the Grand Council Royal and Select Masters for seven years. On April 21, 2008 he was installed as Grand Commander of the Grand Commandery Knights Templar of Texas. He presided over the 156th Conclave of Grand Commandery when it met in Waco April of 2009, after which he was designated by Grand Encampment Knights Templar of the U.S.A. as Knight Commander of the Temple.

Bill was preceded in death by his parents; daughters, Margie Matyastik-Barton and Nita Parsons; brothers, Jim Matyastik and Bob Matyastik; and granddaughter, Ashlee Marie Spann. He is survived by his wife, Maggie; sons, Bill Matyastik and Walter Matyastik; daughters, Dr. Margaret Baier, Linda Hutchings, and Dr. Melissa Spann; brother, Paul Matyastik; sisters, Rose Snider, Ruth Woollett, and Jane Vorwerk; 19 grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Knights Templar Eye Foundation.