Willard H. Matson

BURIAL AND MILITARY HONORS FOR WILLARD WILL BE HELD ON WEDNESDAY, JUNE 15, 2022 AT 1:30 P.M. AT THE NORTH DAKOTA VETERANS CEMETERY, RURAL MANDAN. 

Willard Henry Matson, 90, longtime resident of Devils Lake died on November 8, 2021.

Willard was born in Burke County, North Dakota on March 16, 1931 to John and Ester Matson.  His mother Ester was born in the old country, Norway.

Willard grew up in Depression Era, North Dakota. Like many others at that time, he never got to finish his education and went to work at a young age.  He was proud of his hard work ethic and work history. He was an Army Veteran of the Korean War.  He married Shirley Folven of Watford City, North Dakota in 1954.  They had two sons, Douglas and Jimmie.

Willard enjoyed watching wrestling and rodeo bull riding on TV, spending time at the Casino and having meals at his favorite restaurants in town.  He had good casino instincts of finding winning slot machines.  Then of know the right time to leave the casino.  He was a past member of the Eagles. 

Willard is survived by his son Jimmie, grandson Todd, sister Betsy and many nieces and nephews.

Interment will be at the North Dakota Veterans Cemetery in Mandan, North Dakota.