Page 180 - PGM Compendium

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH
Of
M⸫W⸫ J. W. J. Stedman

1942-1943

James William (Bill) Joseph Stedman was born in London,
England, the first of four children, to Joseph and Jane Stedman,
on January 6, 1893. He was educated at the George Green
School and the Schools of the University of London, majoring
in Bacteriology and Bio-Chemistry. He entered the heavy
chemical business, but in a very short time became interested in
the manufacture of edible vegetable oils and the many products
that are produced from these oils.

Coming to the United States in the early part of 1914, he soon
found employment in his chosen field, in New York and Chicago where he helped to develop the
first of the oleo margarines- Nucoa. However, Bill had not gone far enough West, and in 1920 he
established himself in Tacoma as manager of the National Coconut Products Company. He
remained with this organization until 1943 when he was called to Washington, D.C, to assist the
War Foods Administration.

He was initiated in Destiny Lodge No. 197, on November 7, 1921; passed on November 21, 1921;
and raised on December 10, 1921, serving as Worshipful Master of that Lodge in 1928; after which
he continued to serve the Lodge in some capacity, being installed Organist for many years.

He joined the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite in 1922, and soon became interested in its work,
serving as organist to the bodies for several years. He has served as Wise Master of Rose Croix
and also as Commander-in-Chief of the Consistory. He was made a Knight Commander Court
Honor in 1937, and an Inspector General Honorary on November 22, 1941.

He first attended Grand Lodge in 1926 at Spokane, and missed very few Grand Communications.
Most Worshipful Brother Frank L. Poole appointed him Grand Lecturer in 1937, and Most
Worshipful Brother
W. Gale Matthews re-appointed him in 1938. In 1939 he was elected Junior Grand Warden, and
was advanced through the line and elected Grand Master in 1942.

The nation being at war during his tenure as Grand Master, Most Worshipful Brother Stedman had
to weigh the obligations of duty to our Nation versus his commitment to the Craft. All from whom
he sought advice assured him his expertise was needed in Washington, D.C, and he should go
without hesitation. So he apprised the other elective officers of their stepped up duties and moved