Mr. Arthur James Mathews age 87 of Willard died February 23, 2011 at his residence. He is survived by his wife of 65 years, Rovene \"Duck\" Blanton Mathews, of the home, one son, James Thomas (Jim) Mathews of Virginia Beach, VA, two daughters, Amanda Jane (Cokie) Mathews Powell of Leland and Nancy Rowena Mathews Croom of Willard, one sister, Temple Mathews Moore of Ivanhoe, three grandchildren, James Darrell Futrell, Kyle Mathews and Tamara Mathews Drummond, one great grandchild, Jenna Nicole Futrell and many nieces, nephews and cousins. A native of Pender County, Mr. Mathews was the son of the late Arthur Wells and Amanda Rowena Reynolds Mathews and of the Baptist Faith. He served in the Army as a private first class in the 48th bomb squadron and earned the Asiatic-Pacific Theater Service Medal with 3 Bronze Service Stars; American Theater Medal; Good Conduct Medal and World War II Victory Medal. He enjoyed hanging out at Western Mufflex and loved gardening. He was preceded in death by two brothers, Charles Ray Mathews and George Colin Mathews. Honorary bearers will be William Hayes Newkirk, Thurman Bob Parker, Jimmy Jones, Kenneth Mills, Jimmy Brinkley, James Savage, Wayne Brice and Lacy Hatchell.