Martin “Matt” Willoughby

Martin B. “Matt” Willoughby, 69, of Garner, NC passed away at home Tuesday August 6, 2019 under the care of Transitions LifeCare. Matt was born Feb. 9, 1950 in Fairbury, Nebraska to the late George P. Willoughby and Irene Hall (Riggs). He graduated from Goldsboro High School in 1968 and attended Northern Virginia Community College and Northern Arizona University in Broadcast Communications. Matt had a deep broadcast voice and decided that would be his career. Matt’s love of broadcasting began soon when he joined the Army in 1973. This is where he honed his skill, reading the news as a Broadcast Specialist for the Armed Forces Korean Network (AFKN). After his military service, he began his career in broadcasting working as an anchor for TV stations; WITN in Washington, NC, WSET in Lynchburg, VA, WWBT in Richmond, VA and WRDU-TV in Raleigh, NC. He also worked for several radio stations. Eventually his talent led him to work for Capitol Broadcasting at the North Carolina News Network (NCNN). Here he worked as a Legislative Reporter covering the General Assembly and State government. Matt produced a video blog during the legislative sessions for WRAL.com called Capitol Link. In addition, Matt hosted the radio program at NCNN called Capital Ideas where some of his guests included several North Carolina governors and senators. Over his career Matt received many broadcasting awards from the Radio Television Digital News Association (RTDNA) including the prestigious Edward R. Murrow Award for “Spot News”. Matt was a past president of Capitol Press Corps. After retirement from NCNN Matt went to work for the Civitas Institute as a legislative reporter. Matt loved watching sports, telling jokes, playing with his dogs and spending time with his family at the beach. His hobbies included modeling (mostly World War II dioramas). He was an avid guitarist and enjoyed playing at the annual Press Corps skits. Matt will be lovingly remembered by his wife of 45 years, Kim and his children Jennifer “Niki”, Matthew and Ryan (Carrie). He will also be fondly remembered by his grandchildren, Kevin, Parker and Easton Willoughby, brothers-in-law Steve and Scott Whitacre and several nephews and nieces. Also survived by his brother Ronald and sister Dorothea Ledlow, stepbrothers and sisters, John and Ridgley Riggs, Page Bradley, Valerie Makovic and Miriam Riggs. A celebration of life will be held on Friday Sept. 6, 2019 at 11:00 AM Bryan-Lee Funeral Chapel, Garner with Military Honors. Memorial contributions may be sent to the American Cancer Society or Transitions LifeCare 250 Hospice Cr. Raleigh, NC 27607.