William Matthews Short Sr., 85 MILTON - William Matthews Short Sr., of Milton, passed away Monday, Dec. 7, 2009, at the Delaware Hospice Center in Milford. He was 85. Mr. Short was born in Cheswold, son of the late George N. and Anna S. (Matthews) Short. In 1953, Mr. Short purchased the S.J. Wilson and Son Funeral Home, he moved his family to Milton where he and his wife Gloria, owned and operated Short Funeral Home on Federal Street, until they retired in 1989. Mr. Short was a member of Goshen U.M. Church, Grand Lodge AF & AM, Past Master and member of over 50 years of Endeavor Lodge #17 AF & AM, Past Masters Association of Kent & Sussex Counties, Kent & Sussex Scottish Rite, Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite, Tall Cedars of Lebanon, American Legion #20, Milton Volunteer Fire Department, Milton Lions Club member over 50 years and the Delaware State Funeral Director Association. Mr. Short was a Sergeant in the U.S. Army and veteran of World War II serving with the 604th Quartermaster Grave Registration Company in the Pacific Theatre. In addition to his parents, Mr. Short is preceded in death by his wife, Gloria Marie (Tigner) Short, 2001; and a son, William M. Short, Jr., in 2002. He is survived by three children, Bonnie S. Ritter, George M. Short and wife Janet and Patsy S. Caras and husband Paul III, all of Milton; six grandchildren, Kelly Pepper, Holly Short Hannigan, Amy Short Jewell, Glenn Short, Paul Caras IV, and Carla Ritter Schirmer; and seven great-grandchildren. A funeral service will be 1 p.m., Friday, Dec. 11, in the chapel of Short Funeral Services, 416 Federal Street, Milton, where friends may call Thursday evening from 6 to 8 p.m., with Masonic Service at 7 p.m. Burial will be in Odd Fellows Cemetery, Milton.