Bill Eardley Celebrates 50 years in Freemasonry

from left W.Bro. Treey Hudson PSGD, APGM, Bro. R H R Anderson W.M. Rectitude Lodge,
W.Bro. Bill Eardley PJGD & W.Bro. Leon Tax, PSGD, APGM

Silence is golden for Bill

He may occasionally have been known as ‘Whispering Bill’, but Rectitude Lodge’s William Eardley had plenty to shout about after chalking up 50 years of Freemasonry.

The affectionate nickname was applied by colleagues at Fylde Borough Council where Bill was employed as a clerk of works and senior maintenance officer.

It was one of many roles Bill held during a career that began with a 15 shillings a week pay packet as apprentice painter and decorator at Blackpool firm Riddles and Sons.

It was also a career that took him to Canada – and his introduction to freemasonry 

Toronto-bound

He’d been married just 12 months when he and wife Audrey decided to follow Bill’s brothers Roy and Jack - and emigrate. Audrey’s boss at the packaging firm she worked for - Paul Maserack – invited the couple to a lodge ladies evening and Paul was eventually initiated into Toronto’s Corinthian Lodge No 4812 in  June1959, passed in October and raised in December.

During a special meeting to mark Bill’s achievement, W Bro Terry Hudson reminded him of the rigorous interview procedures at the time, saying: “Your memory was of them being a bunch of old codgers really – what with you being just 26 years of age.”

Bill remained a member of the Corinthian Lodge until after he and Audrey returned to the UK, and after he became a joining member of Blackpool’s Rectitude Lodge in 1967. His proposer was Audrey’s uncle, W Bro Bill Dabbs.

Worshipful Master

He made his way through the various Lodge offices before becoming Worshipful Master in 1978 then Charity Steward – a post he held for 12 years. A health scare meant Bill had to curtail his activities after becoming the DC in 1984, although he returned to lighter duties in 1990 as ADC for two years.

Paying tribute to Bill’s leadership qualities, Terry said: “Your potential had already become evident in 1983 when you were duly recognised by the Province and appointed Provisional Grand Steward – which led to promotion to the rank of PPrSGD in 1987 and further, to that of PPrJGW in 1992.”

Bill became Group Secretary of the South Blackpool Group in 1991, Group Vice Chairman in 1995 and Group Chairman in 2001.

He’s also a member of Senatores Lodge of Installed Masters No 8966 – becoming Worhipful Master in 2007.

Promotion

Hardly a year has passed without Bill adding a new title to his collection of Masonic posts but other high points have included promotion to PPrGSN in the Royal Arch (1992) and installation as a Knights Templar  in the Rose of Lancaster  Preceptory No 157 (2000).

Terry added: “Over the years Bro Bill Eardley has proved himself to be a man of consummate integrity and commitment.