Robert Clinton Matheson

Robert Clinton Matheson passed away on the evening of September 29, 2021 in Hendersonville, North Carolina. He was 30 years old and will be dearly missed by his family, but we take comfort in the faith that he is now roaming the heavens with his grandparents.

Born December 30, 1990 to Donna (Williams) Wilson at Mission Hospital in Asheville, Robert was named after his maternal great grandfather – carrying on a tradition in his mother’s family to name the first-born son after her grandfather. He was a lifelong resident of Henderson County and spent much of his time serving his local community.

He is preceded in death by his grandparents, Clyde Grady Williams and Jean (Whiteside) Williams, as well as his stepfather, Ricky Dean Wilson. He is survived by his mother, Donna (Williams) Wilson; his sister, Holly Matheson and her children (Ryan and Haylie); uncle, Donald Williams and wife, Gail; aunt, Kay Williams, and several cousins.

The impossible task of capturing Robert through an obituary, we were never prepared to write, is a monumental task. To those who really knew him knew he was warm, hilarious, fearless, adventurous and incredibly loving. He made sure to end every conversation and every phone call by making sure you knew it, too. If Robert loved you, there was never a chance of not knowing that because he never failed to say so.

As a child, Robert enjoyed much of his time playing basketball, exploring the woods, spending time with his grandparents and climbing trees with the community of friends he had found in the neighborhood that he grew up in. Always his Mama’s biggest fan, and never ashamed to make that known, Robert was just a little bit famous around the family for calling home half-way into a summer vacation with his grandparents and wanting his Mama to come pick him up because home with her was always where he wanted to be. Throughout all of his life that trait never changed, and there was never a time when Robert was willing to go too long without his Mama.

From a very young age, Robert cared about his local community. He and his sister would sell candy for school, of course, but Robert was always one to take that a step further. He was never ashamed to knock on someone’s front door and ask them if there was anything he could do to help them. That initiative resulted in Robert becoming someone who often and frequently dedicated his free time to mowing yards, doing residential work or simply being someone who could be counted on to be there to help his community. In fact, as a family, we are sure that one of the last things Robert did with his life was to give back to his local community.

Robert attended Upward Elementary, Flat Rock Middle, East Henderson and Hendersonville High School, where he actively participated throughout his school career playing basketball and breaking records as a high jumper on his track team.

Robert enjoyed spending weekends watching the St Louis Rams football games with his stepfather, Rick. Even as an adult, Robert carried on pulling for the LA Rams every football season.

Having become an uncle as a teenager, Robert really had a knack for being one. He enjoyed spending time laughing, joking, exploring the outdoors, watching movies and bonding with his niece and nephew. Together, the three of them spent a lot of time together and it is through his relationship with them that we will forever know the loving father that Robert would have been.

A celebration of life will be held at Forest Lawn Funeral Home from 6pm until 8pm on the evening of October 18. The family asks that flowers be sent to Forest Lawn.