WB Bill Hosler - A tribute to our fallen friend and contributor & his very last unfinished installment of the 50 year member series

by Midnight Freemason Contributor

WB Darin A. Lahners

Nothing can ever prepare you for the loss of a friend and colleague, especially when their death is so sudden.  There's not much more that I can add to all of the loving tributes to Bill Hosler. Bill impacted so many people and touched so many lives. He touched mine in so many profound ways. To say that I will miss him is an understatement. The hole that losing Bill has left in many of our lives will never be filled. We just have to find a way to cope.  

I consider myself blessed to have worked in the Masonic Quarries with Bill, and honored to be able to call him my friend.  I first started speaking with Bill shortly after I started writing for this blog in 2017.  At first, we may have been a mutual admiration society.  Later, when I started to be an editor of the blog, I would edit Bill's writings and give him feedback on some of his articles and we became collaborators.  When Greg Knott and I decided to start a podcast, after some of our early test recordings, we decided we needed another voice, and I thought immediately of Bill. 

It is through the podcast and the hours that Greg, Bill, and I would spend before and after each episode just having those deep, philosophical discussions where we would solve all of Freemasonry's problems, much like all Freemasons do in the parking lot before or after a lodge meeting, where I believe we formed a stronger bond. I am so happy that I was able to meet Bill in person.  At the beginning of August 2020, when it seemed that maybe the COVID pandemic was coming to an end, Bill visited Greg and I.  I was Worshipful Master of St. Joseph #970 AF&AM in Illinois for the second time.  It was an amazing evening, which Bill wrote about here: Virtual Friendship, Real Life Brotherhood.  I'm so happy to have that experience and the memories that go with it.  I'm also happy to have had the episodes of Meet, Act, and Part with Bill.  At some point when I'm able to listen to them without breaking down in tears, I know I can always hear his wonderful laugh, which was so unique, just like Bill was.  

The last time I communicated with Bill, I had called him to check in on him.  It went to voicemail, and he sent me a text the next day that he and Tammi were on a cruise and he was in the middle of the Atlantic. He told me he would be home last Tuesday. I replied and told him I would call him then, but as life often does, I became preoccupied with work and a busy Masonic week.  I had every intention of calling him last Friday, but on my way home this past Thursday from a stated meeting at the very same Lodge that Bill had visited us at, I received a text from Bill's lady, Tammi. It was coming from Bill's number, asking Greg or I to call her.  It seemed odd that she would be using Bill's phone. I braced myself for bad news, but I did not imagine it would be news of his passing.  I have been beating myself up that I didn't get that last conversation with him, but as our mutual friend Robert Johnson told me, I would probably be hurting even more (if that's possible) having had that conversation.

Bill recently had been working on another installment of his 50-year Member series, but he was having trouble with how he should end it.  I had been encouraging Bill to think about how he would end the series, and telling him that he needed to publish all of the series as a book.  Ironically, the last installment of the series would be entitled "Why?" That's how many of us feel regarding Bill's passing.  Bill and I had exchanged some ideas on how the below article would end, but I think it's appropriate to end it as suddenly as Bill left us. 

    

The 50 Year Member-Why?

By

Bill Hosler, PM

Pudge is sitting in the living room of the 50 Year member. He knocked on John’s door and as soon as the old man opened it he could see the look of anguish on his face. “Have you seen this?” Pudge asked as he handed his friend a piece of printed paper  Pudge had snatched from his printer in disgust. “Why? Can it be true?  It makes no sense to make.”

The old man placed his reading glasses on his nose and began to read what his friend had given him slowly.  “Honestly, I don’t know what to say. “ the 50-year member said in a very sad, some could say grief-stricken tone.  “It doesn’t make any sense.”

Pudge who was slowly sinking into the old man’s living room chair said “Why? It can’t be. He would have made a great Grand Master. He had so many good ideas to help the Fraternity thrive. All the guys were eager to support him and work with him. Now, it’s all gone”

Pudge was lamenting about an email sent to the membership to the membership of his Grand Lodge. The email stated that Randy Jones, a popular member and the  Deputy Grand Master had been expelled from the Fraternity over charges that he had abused his power and had committed conduct unbecoming a Mason. “It can’t be true. He wasn’t like that.” Pudge continued “Lots of guys I have talked to in our online group are really mad! They don’t believe these charges. Many of them are so mad they are talking about quitting and starting their own clandestine lodge!”  

The old man shook his head. “Starting another Grand Lodge makes as much sense as burning your house down because you saw a spider.”  “That is the last thing that should be done.”

The old man continued. “First we don’t know what is truly going on.  There is always a chance that the charges leveled at Randy could be true. We are on the outside looking in. I will admit that I have known Randy for a long time and that doesn’t sound like him.”

“Second. Let’s just say for a minute that the charges could be fake and Randy has been framed. It is plausible. I mean his aggressive new ideas for next year have some of the old guard on edge. The status quo will be gone and the elders will lose their power base and Masonry as they have known it for nearly three-quarters of a century will be gone. The change they have been scared of for so long will be here and the days of beating the drum for new members just to have the members quit a year later will be a thing of the past. Masonic education will be strong and the membership will learn the things they have been saying for years are not false or even worse a lie. With each new member is a potential vote against them.

That is my suggestion to you fellows. As the British said during the darkest hours of World War Two once said: “Keep calm and carry on.”  He continued “You and I both know you young fellows will be running things.   It has to be that way because old guys like me will be gone. Just like someday you guys will be replaced by the next generation. If you quit there will be no one left to try and fight for what you want and then Masonry will surely die. Not because of the old guys of today who won’t change but because your generation picked up their ball and went home. Encourage each other.  Work together. Stay active in Grand Lodge and vote for what you believe in. Just like in the real world if you don’t vote you let the few who did pick your destiny. If you know Brothers who have quit out of discouragement talk them into coming back. They will be needed. Every potential vote you can rally brings you closer to your goals.”

“Just remember one thing:  when times change, we both know they will not block the efforts of the young men who want to shape the craft. Remember how you feel right now."

  

Bill, I certainly do not want to remember how I feel right now.  I have lost you, my friend. This feeling sucks.  However, I will honor your wishes.  Much like the 50-year member tells Pudge that he can't quit, neither can we.  The best way I know to honor you is to continue to keep the Midnight Freemasons blog going and to keep recording Meet, Act, and Part.  Neither will be the same without you. As Bill ended his article regarding his visit to St. Joseph #970; I end this article. Much like the line in the Tyler's toast used in English festive boards ”Happy to meet, sorry to part, happy to meet again.”   My friend, I will be happy when we meet again in the lodge on high.  Until then, many of us will keep your memory alive.

Bill's Masonic accomplishments are many, and can be found here: Bill Hosler Obituary  Please keep his fiancé Tammi and his family in your prayers. If you are able to, please join Greg Knott and I along with other Masonic friends of Bill at his Masonic rites this coming Saturday, June 15 at 2pm Eastern Time at the Lindenwood Cemetery Chapel in Fort Wayne, Indiana. I’d like to be able to have as many Freemasons as possible show up for Bill. 

~DAL

When a light goes out

by Midnight Freemason Contributor

WB Darin A. Lahners

WB Keith Sigwerth 

Freemasonry in my little corner of the woods was dealt a tremendous blow when a brother that many of you didn't know by the name of, Keith A. Sigwerth passed away on Dec. 18, 2023, after being diagnosed earlier this year with Stage 4 pancreatic cancer. Before I begin to tell you about Keith in my own words, I want to share his Masonic resume:  

Keith was a Master Mason dedicated to raising fellow brothers to become Master Masons. He became Master of his Lodge, Mahomet Masonic Lodge #220 in 2016 and served as Master of his lodge for two consecutive years. He was part of Traveling Degree, a Lifetime Member of Mahomet Masonic Lodge #220, and an honorary member of several surrounding lodges including Western Star Lodge #240, Ogden Masonic Lodge #754, Tolono Masonic Lodge #391, Monticello Masonic Fraternal Lodge #58, Farmer City Masonic Lodge #710, Paxton Masonic Lodge Room #416, Gibson City Lodge #733, Rantoul Lodge #470, Sidney Lodge #347, Urbana Lodge #157 and Homer Lodge #199.

He quickly became a 32nd-degree Mason after joining the Valley of Danville Scottish Rite and served on the Line of Perfection for several years.

He was a member of the Illini Shrine Club and became President for two consecutive years. He also became a part of the Hi-Lo Wheelers where you would see Keith in parades all around east-central Illinois in his little yellow car.

Keith and his Shrine Car

Transporting dozens of children and their families to and from the St. Louis, MO and Chicago, IL Shriners Hospitals for Children; he was a loyal transporter for the Shriners for several years.

Keith joined the Ansar Shrine Club in Springfield where he entered the Divan Line, serving four years. He was an Ambassador for Ansar Shrine, Tri-County Shrine, Shelby County Shrine Club, and Eastern Illinois Shrine Club in Danville, visiting many Shrine clubs throughout the state.

Keith and His Wife Becky

Let me just tell you in my own words about Keith.  Keith was one of the friendliest and most down-to-earth brothers you could ever meet.  Earlier this year, before his diagnosis, I had sent an email to the brethren of Homer Lodge #199 telling them that we had been having trouble making quorum.  Keith lived probably 40 to 45 minutes from Homer, but he showed up because I asked for help.  He was an honorary member at Homer #199 and didn't have to drive all that way to help us out, but he did.  He did because that's who Keith was.  That was his character.  He would go out of his way to help out.  Any brother that had the pleasure of knowing Keith would probably say the same thing. He was just one of those quiet, unassuming brothers who really made an impact here in East Central Illinois.  

There were over 50 brothers who drove from all over the state to attend Keith's Masonic Service, including the current Potentate of the ANSAR Shrine, Jason Cutright.  His Masonic Rites were given by WB Jeff Baine, who was a friend of Keith's and asked by his wife to give those rites.  I don't know how Jeff did it without a complete emotional breakdown, because lord knows I was fighting back tears during them.  

If there is any other point to this article other than wanting to make sure Keith's legacy lives on Masonically, it's to do something I did every time Keith helped me out personally, but something that I think I should have done the last time I saw him, which was this past September 30 at a Pancake Breakfast fundraiser at Mahomet Lodge #220.  I should have thanked him again and told him how much respect I had for him, and how he inspired me to be better.  So, Keith, I thank you for being a bright light in Freemasonry and for being a positive influence on those around you.  Thank You for leading by example.  Thank You for being kind.  Thank You for being you.  You'll be missed brother.  Not just by myself, but by those who were lucky enough to know you.       

Keith is survived by his loving wife, Becky Sigwerth (Smith) of Mahomet; daughter Michelle Bonham and Son-In-Law who he loved like his own, Eric Bonham of Mahomet; grandchildren Robert, Mackenzie, Bailey, and Josie Mae Bonham of Mahomet, and sister-in-law Glenda Sigwerth of Mt. Vernon. He loved his sidekick and best buddy, Brody, his black lab puppy.

~DAL

Darin Lahners is our Managing Editor. He is a host and producer of the "Meet, Act and Part" podcast as well as a co-host of an all-things-paranormal podcast, "Beyond the 4th Veil." He is currently serving the Grand Lodge of Illinois Ancient Free and Accepted Masons as a member of the Committee on Masonic Education He is a Past Master of St. Joseph Lodge No.970 in St. Joseph. He is also a plural member of Homer Lodge No. 199 (IL), where he is also a Past Master. He’s also a member of the Scottish Rite Valley of Danville, a charter member of Illinois Royal Arch Chapter, Admiration Chapter No. 282, Salt Fork Shrine Club under the Ansar Shrine, and a grade one (Zelator) in the S.C.R.I.F. Prairieland College in Illinois. He is also a Fellow of the Illinois Lodge of Research. He was presented with the Torok Award from the Illinois Lodge of Research in 2021.  

Hiram Struck Down

by Midnight Freemason Contributor

Robert H. Johnson

It was sometime in the evening when I received a text message with a link to a news article--a horrific car accident involving a Brother. When they told me who it was, my immediate response was, "Are you sure?" Almost in a weird panicky type of way. I felt confused. It was then confirmed by multiple fraternal sources that we had lost one of the most active Masons I'd ever known.

I first met Tim Uriah Thomason shortly after he was raised in 2016. He was a curious man. He was quiet and observant. I have half a dozen stories about Tim stunning us with his knowledge of various Masonic histories, facts, and interpretations of our teachings. We listened, and we learned. He was such an asset to the Masonic Fraternity, and not only to Illinois but to the Craft as a whole.

Many unique tributes and kind words were written about Tim in the last few weeks. One, in particular, caused me to contemplate after reading it...the words as I read them--pausing to think as I took them in and wiping my eyes. Tim was a special kind of Mason. He was one of those 3%ers. He was not just active at his home lodge, where he was the Current Worshipful Master at the time of his transition. He traveled all over the place. He was an honorary in a handful of Lodge's. He was an international member as well.

It took me a few days to write this because I just didn't feel like it was the right time. I suppose the time will never be right to type these kinds of things. I keep thinking that if Tim's transition affected me so strongly, someone who only spent occasional time with him, what do those closest to him feel? I can't imagine their pain and loss. Tim was only 36 years old. I feel like we lost an up-and-coming titan of Freemasonry. Tim already had legend status--It didn't matter where in the state something was happening...Tim might just walk in the door and be ready to get to work.

Tim's Masonic Service was a packed house. There was standing room only. Brothers of all ages, elbow to elbow, lined up to pay their respects to a Just and Upright Mason--Timothy Uriah Thomason. I looked around and thought, when we're old and pass on to the world to come, our peers come to gather and mourn our passing. Often times there aren't many people in attendance. I can't help but think this may be because the people we touched are also old, and many of them may have passed. Tim passed on so early in life--those people he touched are all still around, and it showed.

I don't know if anything I can say is better than what our Brother Ryan Flannagan posted. With Ryan's permission, I post his original words.

Your name badge said “Timothy U. Thomason Landmark Lodge #422”. You had just walked into a Stated Meeting in Springfield, something that members ten minutes away can’t be bothered to attend. And you drove from Joliet? I was skeptical, but you were a legit member. [I] figured I’d never see you again, but it wasn’t long before I realized there was no one in the state like you. While I rarely expected to see you, I learned never to be surprised to see you. So many events that were unforgettable in their own right, you were there. It was my good fortune, having met you that night in Springfield, that we’d frequently spend time together at these events, sometimes even hanging out afterwards despite you usually having a 2-3+ hour ride home. During the lockdown, you joined the Zoom calls a couple guys from [No.] 500 down here started. While everyone was trying to get a word in, crack a joke, or steer the conversation (most of the time me for all three), you’d just listen. When you did talk, everyone shut up because it was usually exactly what needed to be said. You were one of the guys that was supposed to come up with us, the guy we’d hear got appointed to some big position, the name we’d see on a list and say “Whatever else they’re doing, if they’re putting Tim in there, they’re doing something right.” You loved Masonry not just for what it could be, but for what it already was. You didn’t travel the State just for what you could get, but for what you could give. You sincerely enjoyed being with your brothers, and had a genuine love for the Fraternity unlike any Mason I’d ever met, and maybe ever will meet again. I woke up today to learn I’ll never see you again. I guess it’s one more Lodge you’ve visited before me. Until we meet again, dear friend and brother, until then, farewell. ~RW Bro. Ryan Flanagan

Thank you, Ryan, for articulating so well these sentiments.

~RHJ

RWB Johnson is a Co-Managing Editor of the Midnight Freemasons blog. He is a Freemason out of the 2nd N.E. District of Illinois. He currently serves as the Secretary of Spes Novum Lodge No. 1183. He is a Past Master of Waukegan Lodge 78 and a Past District Deputy Grand Master for the 1st N.E. District of Illinois. He is the current V:. Sovereign Grand Inspector for AMD in I.L. Brother Johnson currently produces and hosts weekly Podcasts (internet radio programs) Whence Came You? & Masonic Radio Theatre, which focuses on topics relating to Freemasonry. He is also a co-host of The Masonic Roundtable, a Masonic talk show. He is a husband and father of four, works full time in the executive medical industry. He is the co-author of "It's Business Time - Adapting a Corporate Path for Freemasonry," "The Master's Word: A Short Treatise on the Word, the Light, and the Self – Annotated Edition," and author of "How to Charter a Lodge: A No-Nonsense, Unsanctioned Guide. More books are on the way.