Paul James Matulka was born on March 31, 1957, to Ernest Raymond and Madeline Margaret (Klein) Matulka in Omaha, Nebraska and passed away on March 1, 2012, in Seward, Nebraska at the age of 54 years, 11 months and 1 day. Paul grew up in Ulysses, Nebraska. He attended and graduated from Aquinas High School in 1975. After graduation Paul worked at Walker's from 1975 to 1980 in the quality control department. In 1980, he went out on his own and started Paul Matulka Painting and later expanded to tree trimming services. He was also a federal grain inspector. Paul was a life time member of the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Ulysses, NE; former mayor of Ulysses and retired member of the Ulysses Volunteer Fire Department. He loved coyote and deer hunting. Paul enjoyed going to auctions, collecting coins and Ulysses town memorabilia. Paul also enjoyed going to guns shows; in fact he was going to the Tulsa Gun Show later this month. Paul was preceded in death by his parents, Ernest and Madeline Matulka. Paul is survived by his two sons, Paul E. Matulka of Omaha, NE; James Higgins and wife Samantha of Columbus, NE; his former wife, current partner and mother of their children, Laura Matulka of Ulysses, NE; brother, John and wife Gwen Matulka of Waco, NE; three grandchildren, Leo, Bailey and Connor Higgins of Columbus, NE; and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins and a host of friends. Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, March 6, 2012 at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church -Ulysses, NE; with Father Raymond Jansen celebrating. Visitation will be held from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Monday, March 5, 2012 at Zabka Funeral Home, Seward, NE; then from 6:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church with a Rosary at 7:00 p.m. also at the church. Burial will follow the mass at the Ulysses Catholic Cemetery, Ulysses, NE.