William "Bill" Matthies, 90, of Brainerd, MN passed away peacefully at home on December 14, 2025.

Born on October 17, 1935, in Albert Lea, MN, Bill was the son of William and Violet (Johnson) Matthies. Bill graduated from Albert Lea High School in 1954, followed by Army service. While in the Army he was the All Armed Forces High Diving Champion and served in the Army Security Agency. He married his high school sweetheart, Evelyn (Jensen) Matthies in 1956, then attended Mankato State University graduating in 1959. He also earned a master's in education from Bemidji State University.

In 1959, Bill and Evelyn moved to Brainerd where they both secured teaching positions. Bill taught math in the Brainerd school district until his retirement. During his years of teaching, he was also an assistant football coach, assistant wresting coach and part time drivers ed instructor.

Outside of teaching, Bill established Brainerd Skin Diving Supply in 1959. It was later renamed Minnesota School of Diving. Diving was a driving force in Bill's life, with involvement starting in the infancy of the SCUBA/recreational diving industry. After retiring from teaching, he also established Minnesota Commercial Diver Training Center, continuing to utilize his background in education and SCUBA, training commercial divers.

Bill and Evelyn both enjoyed traveling and learning. Parts of many summers were spent exploring the national parks and later, several stops in Europe. Bill also enjoyed exploring far flung diving destinations. Among their many adventures, Bill and Evelyn also managed a trampoline business in the early days of the Paul Bunyan Amusement Center, owned a satellite TV business, incorporated cross country ski sales and instruction into the dive business for winter recreation, co-owned a gift shop in Nisswa and were private pilots. Bill also served as a water patrol for the Cass County sheriff's department on Gull Lake for several summers. He served on the Civil Service Commission and was named Brainerd Citizen of the Year, which he shared as a co-designation with Evelyn.

Bill is survived by his brother Michael Matthies (Mary Jo), son James Matthies, daughter Jane Matthies-Holtan (Keith Holtan), son Todd, grandchildren Beau Matthies (Lacy), Bill Matthies (Courtney), Dalton Matthies (Kinzie) and McKinley Holtan (Addie), great grandchildren Tanner Matthies (Hunter), Blakesley Matthies, Gray Matthies and Bennett Matthies. He is preceded in death by his wife, Evelyn, and parents William and Violet Matthies.

A Service for Bill will be held at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, January 3, 2026, at Trinity Lutheran Church in Brainerd. Family and friends are invited to gather one hour prior to services at the church and/or Friday evening from 5-7 p.m. at Nelson - Doran Funeral Home in Brainerd. Interment will take place in Spring of 2026 at Minnesota State Veterans Cemetery near Camp Ripley.