Most Worshipful Brother Francis Willis Douglas

Most Worshipful Grand Master of the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of Free & Accepted Masons of Utah 1967.

Our Grand Master was born May 24, 1913, at Silver City. New Mexico, son of A. H. Douglas (many years a member of Magdalena Lodge No. 50, Magdalena, New Mexico and Altha W. Douglas also many years a member of the Order of the Eastern Star at Magdalena). At age seven, he moved with the family to Magdalena, thence in 1924 to Carlsbad, New Mexico, where he attended the public schools and in 1930 was graduated from the high school. Thereafter, for a very short time, he attended the University of New Mexico at Albuquerque.

In 1937, he removed to El Paso, Texas, to join Universal Credit Company, whence in 1939 he was transferred to Salt Lake City.

In January, 1942, Brother Douglas volunteered for service in the armed forces of the United States.

During World War II, he spent thirty months in the South Pacific Theater of Operations, and in January 1946 was discharged with the rank of major. He was awarded. the Bronze Star for meritorious service overseas in air-sea rescue work.

In 1954, he joined the First Security Bank of Utah, N.A., in the installment loan department. He is at present a vice-president of First Security Bank, and since 1959 in charge of installment loans for the Salt Lake City division.

On January 25, 1947, Brother Douglas became a Master Mason in Argenta Lodge No.3. In 1958 he served as Worshipful Master of his Lodge. In 1960 he was Worthy Patron of Radiant Chapter No. 12, Order of Eastern Star. In 1947, he became a member of Scottish Rite in the ninety-second class, and served in 1965 as Wise Master of James Lowe Chapter of Rose Croix.

In 1953, he became a Noble of the Mystic Shrine in El Kalah Temple, and in March, 1966, a Knight Templar in Utah Commandery No. 1.

He is a member and first past president of Research Lodge of Utah, which he now serves as treasurer.

In 1961, this illustrious brother was appointed to the Grand Lodge line, in 1964 elected Junior Grand Warden, and in January 31 of this year was installed as the Most Worshipful Grand Master of Masons in Utah.

We wish him a most pleasant and successful term in his high office.

Francis W. Dougas M.W. Grand Master
Harvey L. Riggle R W. Deputy Grand Master
Blaine M. Simons R.W. Senior Grand Warden
Hugh E. Riley R.W. Junior Grand Warden
Henry H. Hammill, P.G.M, R.W. Grand Treasurer
Clarence M. Groshell R.W. Grand Secretary
E. Roy Gibson, P.G.M, R.W. Grand Secretary Emeritus
H. Scott Hammill W. Grand Chaplain
A. Ralph Baker W. Grand Orator
Rulon E. Jones W. Grand Lecturer
Aaron Hey W. Grand Marshal
Carl W. Kanniainen W. Grand Pursuivant
Jack M. Clifford W. Grand Standard Bearer
George C. Lowry W. Grand Sword Bearer
Glen C. Ray W. Senior Grand Deacon
Carrol G. McCom W. Junior Grand Deacon
Laverne C. Bane W. Senior Grand Steward
George H. Champ W. Junior Grand Steward
Joseph Roach W. Grand Tyler

Utah Grand Lodge Proceedings, 1967.

PGM, Francis Willis Douglas died on February 7, 1992 in /salt Lake City, Utah. Utah Grand Lodge Proceedings, 1993, page 94