Matthew Williams

Matthew Rae Williams passed away May 7, 2026 surrounded by family after a brief hospitalization and hospice in Macon, Georgia. Born February 25, 1965 in Falls Church, Virginia, Matt spent his formative years in Ann Arbor, Michigan and later on the shores of Lake Superior when his family moved to the small town of Grand Marais. A huge music lover, we can still hear him belting out tunes from his first car. He adored animals, particularly his border collie, Meghan, and he loved books, especially those written by Jim Harrison. He had a passion for Michigan football that he inherited from his grandfather and passed on to his nieces and nephews. Matt was at the center of our family gatherings helping to create lasting traditions and memories.

As a young adult, he worked as a manager for UPS in Marquette, Michigan, but Matt’s greatest skill came from working with his hands. He was a master craftsman and worked in central Florida for over two decades creating beautiful tile works, finished cabinets, and remodeling homes. He took tremendous pride in not only doing a job well but also teaching construction and carpentry skills to others.

Matt struggled with alcoholism for much of his adult life, but he gained sobriety over 22 years ago and went on to become an elder-statesmen within his AA community. He sponsored countless others in recovery sharing with them his hard-earned wisdom. His ability to empathize and listen was profound. This isn’t to say that he was all softness. He was tough too, but more so on himself than anyone else. His greatest gift to those he knew was to share his knowledge and experience whether related to recovery or to his skills as a craftsman. He will never know how far his impact extends.

Matt was preceded in death by his parents, Marv and Sandra Williams, of Spring Lake, Michigan. He is survived by his sister Ellen, brother-in-law Craig, and nieces Grace and Julia Byron of Macon, Georgia; his sister Betsy, brother-in-law Tom, and nephews Will and Ben Dansbury of Georgetown Texas; his brother Paul Williams of Grand Marais, Michigan, niece Taylor Rae Fraley (Tyler), and their children Jayce and Lillian of Marquette, Michigan, and niece Brittany Rich and her daughter Elizabeth of Newport News, Virginia; as well as several aunts, uncles, and cousins whom he cherished.

Every day, we walk among people who are hurting or wounded. It costs nothing to meet a friend or even a stranger with kindness. Matt’s legacy for us is to bring that kind of compassion to ourselves, our communities, and the world.

Please visit www.hartsmort.com to express condolences.

Hart’s on Cherry Street, Hart's Mortuary and Cremation Center, 765 Cherry Street, Macon, GA 31201 has charge of the arrangements..