Page 195 - PGM Compendium

Brother Walter had, in 1923, been greeted as a Select Master in Adoniram Council, No. 17, R. &
S. M., had progressed to Illustrious Master in 1930 and then went on to be elected Grand Illustrious
Master of the Grand Council. He was also a Past Commander of University Commandery of
Knights Templar. In addition to his long service as Secretary of University Lodge, he also served
for many years as Secretary of University Chapter of Royal Arch and also as Secretary of
University Commandery.

This most distinguished Mason was also very active in Scottish Rite and, for his good works in the
Rite, Walter was made a 33rd Degree Scottish Rite Mason. In 1919 he had been initiated into Nile
Temple of the Shrine but never took an active part in that organization.

Brother Walter first attended Grand Lodge in 1924 and, in 1935-1936, he served as Grand Master
of all Masons in Washington and Alaska. During his term as Grand Master, M⸫W⸫ Steffey
initiated the most of his many contributions to Masons in this Grand Jurisdiction when he had
created the Masonic Home Endowment Fund. This fund started with $200.00 and has grown to
several million dollars, the interest from which pays for a large proportion of the operation of the
Home, Washington Masonry's most important contribution to Masonic benevolence. This
Endowment Fund is a living monument to the farsightedness of M.'.W.". Brother Walter Steffey,
and a great financial saving to every Mason in this Grand Jurisdiction. While his Masonic activities
took a great deal of his time. Brother Walter carried on his vocation in electrical work. After several
years with Seattle City Light, he went into electrical contracting, in which work he was earning
his living until his retirement.

Brother Walter never neglected his civic duty and, as he was named after Benjamin Harrison, a
noted Republican President, his entire political activities were spent in support of Republican
candidates.

Brother Walter also took an active part in many community activities, the last of which when he
was appointed by Mayor Gordon Clinton to be on the Board of Theatre Supervisors. He was a
humble man who had strong convictions as to what a man's life should be, and he believed that
what the world needed most was a return to decency of conduct, respect for hard work, law and
order. Especially did he believe in the equality of man before the law and equal economic
opportunity for all. Because of his study and many talks on Negro Masonry, Prince Hall Masons
gave him a recognition banquet and presented him with an award. This award came because
Brother Walter had appeared before the State Supreme Court as a witness in a trial which decreed
that Prince Hall Masonry was the only legal Negro Lodge in Washington.

The Grand Chaplain of 1967-1968, Bro. Louis V. Martin, expressed the philosophy that was held
by M⸫W⸫ Steffey.

In his remarks before Grand Lodge in 1968, Rev. Martin said this, "Life is by no means all
sunshine. We are in a world where the Lights go out; where friends and loved ones are constantly
being called to death's great procession, and where we, too, in a few days or months, or years, must
surrender to God the Life which He has given. God made a rainbow of promise and hope shine
brightly in the sky as a token of His Covenant." Masonry is a life dedicated to help keep that light
burning for all people everywhere, to help protect their liberty and freedom, to keep the rainbow