Page 174 - 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 to Washington, D.C.

For the remainder of the war and for several years that followed, he served as a Special Assistant to the

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