Mathew Hayvaz, 67, a longtime fixture of the Waha Community and Resident of Nez Perce County, peacefully passed away in his sleep from a heart attack on the morning of Wednesday, July 17, 2024.
Matt was born July 8, 1957, in Aberdeen, Wash., the last of four children to John and Bernice (Boone) Hayvaz. He grew up in Aberdeen, enjoying all of what Grays Harbor had to offer — always spending time with his Dad, brother and uncles hunting and fishing. This is where he also found his love for razor clam digging. The family moved to Long Beach, Wash. and then back to Aberdeen before relocating to Lewiston, Idaho, where he finished High School in 1975. One of his favorite hunting stories was from his Canadian Moose Hunting trip he received as a graduation gift.
It was also in Lewiston that Matt met his forever soul mate, Sally Ann Smith from Waha, while cooking at the Country Kitchen. He married Sally in October of 1976 and bought their first house while working at Holsom Bakery. When the bakery closed, he and Sally moved to Bellevue, Wash., where he continued working as a baker for the Safeway Bakery and Distribution Center. Matt and Sally bought their second home in Carnation, Wash. on Lake Marcel where they raised three beautiful children — Jennifer, Luke and Amanda. It was in Western Washington that he also started his own business, Stump Be-Gone, and mastered the skill of stump grinding. The business was sold when the family moved to Waha in August of 1994.
Matt was an avid hunter and outdoorsman and loved spending time in the woods. He was very passionate about archery and rifle hunting, a lifetime member of the Washington State Bowhunters and NRA. He would share his love with anyone who would listen and passed that passion on to others. He has multiple record large game animals, including a very large mountain goat that has graced the corner of his family room for years.
He just wanted to spend time with his family, whether he was playing cards, picking berries or hunting mushrooms. He made friends effortlessly, could integrate himself into any conversation and did not hesitate to initiate a handshake or a hug. A stranger to no one — always had a story for every occasion, from his realization of how physics worked to surviving a night on a cliff.
Mathew is survived by Sally; daughter Jennifer (Kortney Behrens), of Lewiston, and their children Carver and Dayton; son Luke Hayvaz (Danielle), of Lewiston, and their children Hadley and Reagan; daughter Amanda (Andrew Loseth), of Clarkston, and their children Alec and Andi; sisters Karen Jonassen, of Montesano, Wash.; Betty Sizemore (Jack); and many cousins, nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews. He was preceded in death by father John L. Hayvaz, mother Bernice H. Hayvaz and brother Michael Hayvaz.
There will be a celebration of life held at 3:30 p.m., Aug. 3, at the Lewiston Elks Lodge, 3444 Country Club Dr., Lewiston, Idaho. There are too many stories to put in print; please bring your favorite Matt stories to share.
