• Howard & Jones
Rev. Matthew D. Williams
Jesup—The Rev. Matthew D. Williams, 55, died suddenly on Sept. 17, 2025, at Memorial Hospital in Biloxi, Mississippi.
He was born on Sept. 3, 1970 in Milledgeville to the late Sidney and Melinda Harden Williams. He spent his early years in Dublin before relocating with his family to Callahan, Florida, where he attended West Nassau High, the place where he met his lifelong sweetheart and the love of his life. He graduated in the class of 1988. After graduation, he worked several different jobs before taking a position with Trans American Trucking Service as a trailer mechanic. His entrepreneurial spirit began to grow as he opened his own trailer repair business, Cornerstone Trailer Services, in Jacksonville, Florida, which he operated for many years. His strong work ethic and love of business management led him into several other business ventures throughout his life, some more successful than others.
He loved the Lord and began to feel the call to ministry as he volunteered in the youth group at his local church in the mid 1990s. He attended seminary at the Jacksonville Theological Seminary, where he earned a master’s degree in theology. After his ordination, he founded Sunrise Baptist Church in Jacksonville, where he served the Lord faithfully and continued in this service since that time.
His love of business continued as he opened the Florida-Georgia Auction in Jacksonville, Florida, nearly 15 years ago later moving his business and family to Jesup, where he has resided for the past 10 years. In his spare time, he loved the outdoors, fishing, boating and especially hunting. He also loved to travel and had taken more than 50 cruises, with Alaska being his favorite destination. According to his family, he was frugal, honest and loyal, always quick with a joke but equally as loving and supportive to those he loved the most—his family.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his two infant sons, Jonathan Matthew and Michael Wade Williams, and his aunt, Shelly Williams.
Survivors include his wife of 34 years, Regina Williams of Jesup; three daughters, Kelsey (Joseph) Arnett of Sterling, Hannah-Marie (Conner) Wiggins of Cedar Crossing and Savannah Williams of Jesup; and an uncle, Charles Williams of Dublin.
Funeral services were held Sept. 20 at Howard & Jones Funeral Home with the Rev. Steven Toole officiating.
Interment followed in Pineview Cemetery in Folkston.
Active pallbearers were Conner Wiggins, Joseph Arnett, Connor Babcock, Joel Barber, Ronald Mercer, Daniel McGinley and Terry McGinley.
Family and friends may sign the guestbook online at www.jesupfuneralhome.com.
Howard & Jones Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.