VMMA Member Awaits Us In The Grand Lodge Above

W.Bro. Bill Stewart, PM - (24th December 1935 To 18th July 2008)

Report by David Hall                                                                    Return to Reports 2008 Index

On Friday the 18th of July 2008 the VMMA learnt of the passing of one of our number Bill (The Chaplain) Stewart. Bill had fought a battle with cancer for a number of years and had fought to the end.

 

The funeral was held the following Friday 25th of July at St. Johns Catholic Church, rafalgar at which the family requested members of the VMMA act as pallbearers. The service was a wonderful tribute to a life well lived and ended with the full Masonic service. It was a true reflection of Bill's commitment to the Craft when we witnessed not less than sixty Brethren rise to form the procession.

 

 

 

At the conclusion of the proceedings six VMMA members dressed in leather Lodge attire, minus Masonic regalia, were privileged to escort Bill from the Church and later to his final resting place.

 

Our President, Chris Wells and the President of the local Ulysses branch led the cortege on motorcycles to the Trafalgar Cemetery, followed by Bill's family, friends and remaining Ulysses and VMMA members, most of who were also on motorcycles.

 

Bill was laid to rest under a cloudless blue sky on a hill overlooking a beautiful valley.

 

 

 

Bill most assuredly "Lived respected and died regretted".