A Treasure of a Man
Brother William (Bill) Lowe, Garfield Lodge No. 559, DuBois, has an impressive attendance record. He was raised in December 2001 and has made almost every stated and extra meeting, only missing one or two due to health or bad weather.
Bill is 103 years old, one of three members of the lodge of the same age. He has performed chaplain duties since 2004, offering up prayers at lodge openings, closings and degrees without error.
“He always offers up a friendly smile and has positive things to say to everyone,” said Mike Crytser, P.M., Secretary of Garfield Lodge. “His presence just makes the room a little brighter.”
According to his brothers, Bill sets a standard that is an inspiration to lodge members and the fraternity as a whole. He has shared with them stories about serving in General (and Brother) George S. Patton Jr.’s Army in 1942 during World War II. When he was stationed in Malta, an island country in southern Europe, Bill noticed Franklin D. Roosevelt, Winston Churchill and Joseph Stalin standing together as he was slowly driving his truck by a field.
“When I was delivering water in Africa, our company got stuck with the night shift,” Bill said. “One of our trucks got hit, and General Patton got on a bullhorn and rode around Casablanca saying, ‘One more shot fired at our troops and I’m pulling everyone out of here.’ I met Patton on different occasions, not personally, but being in the area where he was.”
Bill was born in DuBois and was a partner in a vending business. His mother and father owned a music store, and Bill did a lot of singing in different choirs. Every summer for the past 50 years, he has been invited to sing solos at his local church when the choir is on summer hiatus.
“I know about 12 or 13 songs by memory and by music,” he said. “My wife [Gayle Ann] plays piano for me. I was 93 years old when we got married.”
Gayle Ann drives Bill to lodge meetings, waiting for him downstairs. He remembers once early on as chaplain, he wrote down the prayers on a piece of paper in front of him, and all of the sudden, the lights went off.
“I didn’t know the prayers by heart … I was trying to figure out a prayer for the candidate who was brought in to be initiated in the first degree,” he said. “I resigned myself that I would learn those prayers. If they shut the lights off again, I’d know what I’m doing. Soon after, I was doing all four prayers by memory. And I still do them today.”
Bill serves as chaplain for his local Shrine and Royal Arch chapters as well.
“Bill is definitely an inspiration to us,” Mike said.
“He jumps right in and does the chaplain duties with no hesitation. He does positive work and keeps everything light. He never has a negative word to say. We’re very proud to have him around.”
Donald R. Haines, District Deputy Grand Master for the 52nd Masonic district, which includes Garfield Lodge, said he is honored to attend meetings with Bill.
“It’s very motivational to see him at 103 participating like everyone else in the lodge,” Donald said. “It’s motivating and humbling to be in a room with Bill. When he told us about his military service … there are not a lot of those gentlemen around anymore, and he has many stories to share.”
Garfield Lodge was founded in 1882, making it 143 years old in May. The lodge has 184 members, a unique group of new and long-term members of varying ages. Bill will receive his 25-year service pin next year. He and two other members were honored in 2022 for their 100th birthdays.
Bill said he appreciates the camaraderie of the lodge and the nice people he gets to meet. “I enjoy every member,” he said. “They are all very kind to me. I feel very honored to be a Mason.”
Bill said the secrets to his long life are very simple and people should take note: “First, you need to marry a good woman. Second, don’t drink or smoke. And third, you need to believe in the guy who shed his blood for you. Also, having good genes helps.”
