Page 199 - PGM Compendium

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH
Of
M⸫W⸫ William C. Bates: 1930-1931

Most Worshipful Brother William C Bates was born in Toronto,
Ontario, Canada, on October 20, 1885. His elementary schooling
was received partly in Toronto, and thanks to a family relocation
finished in Chicago, Illinois. After another move he graduated
from Vancouver High School in Washington. He would then
attend the University of Washington, where he graduated from
the University with a Bachelor of Laws.

Our Brother’s path to light began when he petitioned University
Lodge No. 141 for the degrees of Masonry. He was raised to the
Sublime Degree of Master Mason in the spring of 1910. In the
fall of that same year he dimitted to Mt. Hood Lodge No. 32 in
Vancouver where he had started his law practice. He would later
receive an honorary membership in Washington Lodge No. 4.

Brother Bates served Mt. Hood Lodge as Worshipful Master in
the year 1914, as Treasurer in 1918, and then as Secretary until 1928. His first attendance at our Annual
Communication was in 1913; and he holds the most enviable record of 50 years of perfect attendance to
our Grand Lodge Communications. In the following ten years he only missed a few because of illness.
He was appointed Grand Standard Bearer in 1914, and after that held many positions on various
committees. In the year 1928, due to the death of the Junior Grand Warden, Right Worshipful Brother
Roy S. Hayward, Brother Bates was elected to the office of Senior Grand Warden. In regular order he was
elected to the office of Grand Master for the year 1930-1931. Without doubt at his installation one of the
greatest pleasures was the fact that his father, Brother Phillip Bates, at the time a 43 year member of Orient
Lodge No. 339 in the Province of Ontario, Canada – could be present to see his son installed.

At the close of his year as Grand Master, Most Worshipful Brother Bates shared these words: "We may
never reach the perfection taught at our altars but the Brethren are always striving to do so. All is well."

For a period of 42 years following his term as Grand Master, Most Worshipful Brother Bates traveled that
pathway he had chosen, "The pathway of Masonry" ever encouraging, teaching and promoting the good
will, understanding and fellowship of our Great Fraternity. And when the Kind Messenger escorted him
to that Celestial Lodge above presided over by the Supreme Grand Master of the Universe, I am sure our
beloved Brother William Bates would again report: "All is still well with Masonry'.'

His long and useful life closed with his being called to that Celestial Lodge above on September 21, 1973.

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