BAILEY - Thomas "Butch" Rudolph Matthews, Jr., 78, passed away Sunday, May 3, 2026. Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Wednesday, May 6, 2026, at Joyner's Funeral Home, Wilson. Interment will follow with Military Rites in Bailey Town Cemetery, Bailey. Rev. Matt Roman will officiate.

Butch is survived by his wife of 33 years, Lisa Williams Matthews; daughter, Angela M. Griffin of Rocky Mount; son, Billy Matthews of Wilmington; daughter-in-love, Stacy Matthews of Wilson; three grandchildren; son-in-love, Matthew Roman and wife, Brittany of Wilson; brother, Alan Matthews and wife, Cindy of Rocky Mount and Sammy Matthews and wife, Lucy of Belhaven; mother-in-law, Betty Williams; sister-in-law, Penny Carroll; his nieces and nephews,

He was preceded in death by his parents, Thomas "Billy" and Dorothy Matthews; father-in-law, William Gray Williams and brother-in-law, William Gray Williams, Jr.

Flowers are welcome or consider memorials in Butch's memory to Five Points Community Church, 3861 Debnam Road, Zebulon, North Carolina 27597.