William "Scotchy" Matheson

Matheson, William Kenneth "Scotchy" William Kenneth "Scotchy" Matheson, 88, died peacefully in Edina on July 27, 2007. He was born May 2, 1919, the second child of William Angus and Jeanie Buchan Matheson, in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, Canada. He was naturalized in 1922 when the family moved to the United States. He attended Crosby- Ironton schools and graduated from Crosby-Ironton High School in 1937 and Crosby-Ironton Junior College in 1939. He then attended the University of Minnesota, but left in late 1940 to enlist in the U.S. Army Air Corps. Scotchy went through flight training at Randolph Field, was commissioned a 2nd Lt. in October, 1941, and stationed at Biggs Field in El Paso. On November 24, 1945, he married Anna Marie Syreen of Crosby-Ironton. They had two daughters, Susan Aileen and Mary Elizabeth. During his military career, Scotchy Matheson served in: Texas, Panama, South America, London, Washington, D.C., California, Germany, Alabama and New York. He commanded a SAM (Special Air Mission) unit in Washington, D.C., New York, and California, furnishing air transportation for government and Air Force officials. Passengers included Generals Dwight D. Eisenhower, Mark Clark, A.C. Wedemeyer, Edgar Sorenson and others. Scotchy and his family moved to Edina, Minnesota in 1959. His last duty was as liaison officer with the Minnesota Civil Air Patrol. He retired from the U.S. Air Force on October 31, 1964 as a Lt. Colonel. He had served 23 years as a command pilot, having flown throughout North and South America and Europe. The final tally on Scotchy Matheson's log book includes more than 10,000 hours flying time in over 100 different aircraft. He became Director of Operations for the Minneapolis St. Paul International Airport in 1964 and, in 1971, became Airport Director. He retired, after 42 years in aviation and 11 years as Airport Director, in June of 1982. He was raised as a Master Mason in 1960 and became Worshipful Master of Edina Lodge 343 AM and FM in 1967. In 1973, he became a member of the Zuhrah Shrine. During the years his wife, Anna, served as guardian of Job's Daughters Bethel #78, he served as associate guardian. Scotchy Matheson was a member of Christ Presbyterian Church, where he served as a deacon, for 48 years. He was active in many civic organizations throughout his long career. In recent years, he attended meetings of the Airport Oldtimers group as well as Edynamoes at Christ Presbyterian Church. Scotchy was preceded in death by his wife, Anna Marie, as well as his brother, John, and sister, Sarah. He is survived by his two daughters and their husbands: Susan & Scott Ferris of Portland, Oregon, and Mary & Russ Johnson of Edina; grandson & granddaughter-in-law, Greg & Jennie Johnson; grandson, Brent Johnson; twin great-grandsons, Aidan and Zachary Johnson; as well as many beloved nieces and nephews. Memorials may be sent to Christ Presbyterian Church or to the Armed Forces Service Center, Ticket Area on the Mezzanine, Minneapolis St. Paul International Airport, St. Paul, Minnesota 55111. Funeral service is scheduled for 12 noon, Thursday, August 2 at Christ Presbyterian Church, 6901 Normandale Road, Edina. A private interment will be held the morning of August 2 at Fort Snelling National Cemetery. A reviewal will be held Wednesday, August 1, 5-8 PM at: Washburn-McReavy Edina Chapel 952-920-3996 West 50th Street at Hwy 100

Tributes

William "Scotchy" Matheson

August 1, 2007

Tributes

William "Scotchy" Matheson

August 1, 2007

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