1981 – 2018
William Matthew “Matt” Ijames was born October 7, 1981, and left this earth to be with his heavenly Father on June 26, 2018.
Matt was a hardworking, dedicated, and loving man who knew no strangers. He loved to travel and explore new places and foods. Matt shared his passion for all things outdoors with his children, especially hunting, fishing, guns, and archery. Some of their favorite things to do together included snowboarding, hunting, fishing, shooting guns, shooting bows and arrows, camping, swimming, playing baseball and basketball, riding roller coasters and water slides, and so much more.
It gave Matt such joy to shower his children with gifts, experiences, and opportunities. He had a servant’s heart and would spend his spare time helping others. He enjoyed spending weekends up at Ma’s doing work and experiencing the outdoors. Matt also enjoyed many yearly hunting and fishing trips with his best friends and looked forward to bringing his children along when they became old enough. He loved his family dearly and gave everything he had in him to provide for them and his mom and sisters.
Matt worked his way up from a degree in avionics to an unexpected detour of working on truck scales, which he hated with a passion. But he did it because he knew if he worked hard, he could provide for a potential future family. From there he met some amazing people and moved on to Electron Microscopes. Working in the field, he became determined to move up to manager status. After many years of travel, Matt was honored for his loyalty, hard work, and dedication by becoming a manager at Carl Zeiss Microscopy a few months before his untimely death.
Respected and loved by so many, Matt was involved in more than work and family. He also contributed to his church and alma mater, Spring Vale Christian School. Soon after graduating, he went back to work at the school as assistant boys dean and athletic director. Matt was on the school board of directors for ten years, the last two as chairman. Always available to others, Matt mentored and made an impact on countless teens and young adults. He made a difference to so many just by being himself — the man of God he was created to be. No one can replace him. He will be greatly missed.
We may never understand why Matt had to leave us so early in this life. So, in the words of his favorite old hymn:
Farther along we’ll know all about it,
Farther along we’ll understand why;
Cheer up, my brother, live in the sunshine,
We’ll understand it all by and by.
Matt is survived by his wife of thirteen years, Elizabeth (Egedus); children Jocelyn Isabella, Levi Matthew, and Lucas Christopher; his mother, Isabel (Godina); sisters Victoria Lynn Ijames and Rebecca Diffin (Jonathan, Geno Anthony, Ivy, and David Jeffrey); and many more grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins.
The family asks if anyone wishes to make a donation in Matt’s honor, please do so to
Spring Vale Christian School
4150 S. M-52
Owosso, MI 48867
http://www.springvale.us