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William F. Matt, Delaware State Trooper

July 11, 2018

Delaware State Police Trooper Master Cpl. William F. Matt, 54, of Milton, formerly of Wilmington, passed away suddenly Monday, July 9, 2018, at his home.

Bill was born in West Chester, Pa., Jan. 10, 1964, and raised in Wilmington by William G. and Anna (Jester) Matt. He was a graduate of Salesianum School, Delaware Tech, and received his bachelor's degree from Wilmington College in criminal justice.

He proudly served his country in the Delaware Army National Guard, retiring as a captain with 20 years of service. Bill also served his community as a 29-year veteran of the Delaware State Police. He was hired in 1988, and began his career assigned to Troop 6, Wilmington.

In 2001 he was assigned to Troop 7, Lewes, and from 2007-11 was assigned as a school resource officer for the Cape Henlopen and Woodbridge school districts. He was then assigned in 2015 to the Criminal Investigative Unit at Troop 4, Georgetown, and returned back to Troop 7, where he had served since 2016.

Bill was devoted to his community and gave back as much as he could. He was involved with several community outreach organizations with the Delaware State Police, such as Camp Barnes, and also volunteered with Big Brothers Big Sisters, Delaware Special Olympics and Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA). Bill was also influential in helping to improve the conditions of rental properties in Wilmington.

He was an avid diver and enjoyed flying his plane. Bill touched countless lives, and will be remembered as a devoted and loving father, son and brother.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Kirstie M. Matt, and his son, William Noah Matt, in 2008. He is survived by his parents, William and Anna Matt of Wilmington; two sons, Christopher and his wife, Aleisha of Bear, and Nicholas and his wife Jessica of Millsboro; a granddaughter, Brooklyn; his girlfriend Jennifer Oppel; two brothers, Daniel Matt and his wife Angela of The Woodlands, Texas, and their daughter Stephanie, and Brian Matt and his wife Julia of Townsend, and his four children, Michael, Christopher, Nicholas and Amelia. He is also survived by countless extended family members, friends and fellow troopers.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be offered at 11 a.m., Monday, July 16, at St. Jude The Apostle Catholic Church, 152 Tulip Drive, Lewes, where friends and family may visit after 9:30 a.m. Interment will follow at the Delaware Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Millsboro.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions in Bill's name to Camp Barnes, c/o Delaware State Police Credit Union, PO Box 800, Georgetown, DE 19947, or State Police Troop 7, 18006 Coastal Hwy., Lewes, DE 19958.

Online condolences may be sent by visiting www.melsonfuneralservices.com.

 

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