Billy Mathews Obituary

Billy Nell Mathews Billy Nell Mathews passed from this earthly life on September 13, 2006 from natural causes after several months of gradually failing health. She was 88 years of age. She lived a life of Christian service to others and is now resting in the arms of her Savior, Jesus Christ. In the later years of life she was affectionately known as Nana by grandchildren and great grandchildren. Nana was born Billy Nell Eubanks on September 26, 1917 to George and Edna Eubanks in Westminster, Collin County Texas. She attended public schools in Collin County and later attended and graduated from Business College in Dallas and went to work in the Texas Capitol building in Austin in the office of the Railroad Commission. There she met her future husband, Charles Drayton Mathews who at that time was a lawyer with the Texas Railroad Commission. To understand the life of Billy Mathews, one must know the history of Billy and Charles together. She was completely and unashamedly devoted to the support of Charles's professional life and their family life together. They were married at Calvary Baptist Church in Dallas on May 29, 1943. Soon after the wedding Charles crossed the Atlantic to serve as an artillery Captain in General Patton's Third Army until the end of WWII and then as a prosecutor at the Mauthausen War Crimes Trials. After the war, Billy and Charles settled in their home in Tarrytown and Charles entered the private practice of law. In June of 1948 their only child, Betty Drayton Mathews was born at the old Seton Hospital. Billy assumed her role as an extraordinary mother, wife, volunteer for political candidates and charities and Christian friend and caregiver for any friend who needed help. Billy and Charles moved to Dallas in 1961 while Charles served as General Counsel and later President of Red Ball Motor Freight. They returned to Austin in 1969 when Gov. Preston Smith appointed Charles as Commissioner of Insurance on the State Insurance Board. In 1971 Charles was appointed and then elected the first Judge of the 200th District Court of Travis County where he continued to serve until retirement in 1984. She was a loving and devoted caregiver to Judge Mathews after a series of strokes left him in failing health until his death August 3, 1991. After returning to Austin in 1969, Billy and Charles were faithful and active members of University United Methodist Church in Austin until limited eyesight and mobility forced Nana to limit her Christian Worship to the regular services at the Pointe in Cedar Park and later at Sagebrook Nursing Home in Cedar Park where Nana resided until her death. Nana is survived by her daughter Betty Crawford and husband Joe of Leander; Grandson Clark, wife Mandy Crawford and children Cate, Ava and Truman of Round Rock; Grandson Grant, wife Lyndsey and children Colton and Anabelle of Cedar Park. She is also survived by a brother, Dan Eubanks and wife Jeffie of Rockwall, Texas and a host of nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by brothers; George of Hubbard, Texas, Keith of Garland, Texas and Harris of Mountain Home, Arkansas. A graveside service will be held at the Texas State Cemetery, 909 Navasota St. on Saturday September 16th at 11:00 a.m. officiated by the Rev. Michael Wyckoff, Rector of St. Luke's on the Lake Episcopal Church, assisted by the Rev. Roland Timberlake (Ret). Billy will be interred beside her beloved Charles. It is the wish of Billy Mathews and the desire of the family that no flowers be sent. Memorials may be directed to Friends of the Texas State Cemetery, 909 Navasota, Austin, TX. 78702, or to a charity of your choice. Arrangements under the direction of Beck Funeral Home 1700 E. Whitestone, Cedar Park, Texas.