Obituary of Matthew A Williams

Matthew Allen Williams affectionately known as “Bear”, was called home on July 13, 2023. Matthew Allen Williams (Bear) was born on December 13, 1982, to James & Cecelia Appling in Marlton, NJ. Bear was the 2nd of 6 siblings. Matthew (Bear) grew up in Willingboro, NJ and can accurately be described as one of Willingboro’s most faithful sons. He attended Willingboro School District, graduating class of 2001. He was a member of the Willingboro High School Football team, but also had a passion for cooking. He started working for Gaetano's in Pennypacker at the age of 15. While working at Gaetano's he attended B.C.I.T. in Westampton, NJ, and obtained his degree in culinary arts. While attending B.C.I.T he met his best friend/brother Zach. When not making the best cheesesteaks at Gaetano’s in Pennypacker, you could find Bear under the hood of a car with the On Point Racing & Legacy Racing Team car club, watching Dallas Cowboys football games, and being anywhere that Elizabeth Marie Joseph, the love of his life was. But that was pre-2005 Bear. In 2005 Matthew (Bear) and Elizabeth welcomed their first of three children, Olivia Marie Williams. Tank Williams in 2008, Followed by Daniel Matthew Williams in 2009. In 2007 Matthew (Bear) met his best friend/brother Sosa. Who literally became his other rib. The love and bond they shared is unbreakable. I mean you might as well call him his other half. Between 2005 and 2023 Matthew (Bear) cultivated a life that included opening several businesses—most notably All In Security, Inc., where he worked side by side with his best friend/brother Eddie Rodriguez. He turned every stranger he ever met into a friend, collecting cars, coaching little league football, supporting the businesses of all of his friends and family, and pouring into his wife, children, siblings, and extended family. As a security guard, Bear wasn’t doing a job and collecting a check, he was passionate about making sure that people were able to enjoy themselves and make it home safely. While Bear often couldn’t remember names, he never forgot a face and his larger-than-life stature seemed to make him more approachable, nonetheless. Bear’s membership in On Point Racing & Legacy Racing Team, and his love of collecting cars, translated into one of the safest drivers you could meet. I mean, obeying the speed limit, maintaining his lane, hands at 10 and 2! Bear welcomed all into his world via his many social media posts, and his timeline can be described as a Yelp page for all of his friend’s and family’s businesses. Let’s talk about football. When Matthew (Bear) wasn’t rooting for the Cowboys, and trash-talking to Eagle fans or E girls as he would call them, you could find him on the sideline of many of his nephews and all of his son’s football games. As a football parent Bear was patient, enthusiastic, and supportive. While coaching football side by side with his best friend/brother Javonn Martin, he was all of these things and more because he would mentor and encourage the children, their parents, and other coaches. Family, it’s very rare that you meet a man so young who immediately understands and understood what it means and meant to live every day for your family. If you talk to his siblings, they will describe a supportive brother and a man who was always going out of his way to keep the family together and unified. If you talk to his friends, you’ll hear about a man who treated you like a brother or sister, would give you the shirt off his back, and was available at a moment’s notice in great times or times of crisis. He had a his own “Family of Misfits” at The Barbary in Philadelphia with his best friend where he was able to be himself and encourage his Misfits to be themselves as well. Talk to his extended family (nieces, nephews, cousins, in-laws) and you’ll meet a man who would tell you to stand up straight, look him in his eyes, and shake his hand like a man. Or he who would check in on you to see how you were doing if Liz or anyone mentioned you were having a struggle. “Sis/bro you good,” were the first words out of his mouth when you picked up the phone. As a father and a husband, every ounce of goodness that was inside of Bear, he instilled into his children and poured into the love of his life Elizabeth. Matthew (Bear) loved his town, he loved football, he loved cooking, and most of all he loved his family. Matthew (Bear) was preceded in death by, Eva Mae Steadman, James P. Appling, Anne Joseph, Romardo Lang Guadalupe Jr, Sandra Gwaltney, Keenan Gwaltney, Dwain Hill & Diamond Williams. Matthew (Bear) is survived by the love of his life Elizabeth and their children: Olivia, Tank & Daniel. His parents James & Cecelia. His father-in-law John. His only brother Mark (Ramona) Anthony, Manayjah, Malachi, Jacee', Jasmine & Aaron. His sisters Felicia, Ashley (Tyrone) Aziyah, Arriyanna, AJ, Aylani, Jennifer (Glen) Ma’Kenzy, & Katrina, (Godson) Romardo. His Godsister Kiyanah, Zha’Nasia. His Goddaughter Brianna. His brother-in-laws Micheal (Terry) Tyisha, Kamilah,Craig, Nubia, Jericho, Sahara, Jerry (Terika), Zoe, Cade, Christian, John (Roxanne), Jeanna, Jared, Aiden, Nia. His sister-in-laws Christine (Andre), Anthony, Koran, Precious, Joanne (Jaavoda), Isis, Nevaeh, Jermani, Christelle, John Michael, Nicolas, and a host of nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles & cousins.