RIGMWBallou
WALTER GREENWOOD BALLOU 1912-2004
Grand Master 1966-1967
BIOGRAPHY
One Hundred and Eleventh Grand Master, Walter Greenwood Ballou, of Morning Star Lodge, No. 13, F. & A. M. of Woonsocket, was elected and installed the One Hundred Eleventh Most Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of the Most Ancient and Honorable Society of Free and Accepted Masons for the State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations at the One Hundred andmi Seventy Fifth Communication held in Providence, Rhode Island on Monday, May 16, A. L. 5966, A. D. 1966.
Most Worshipful Rrother Ballou was bom in Woonsocket, Rhode Island on December 11, 1912, son of Howard F. and Mary Ann (Greenwood) Ballon. He is married to the former E. Hope Fetakake. He has one daughter Ruth Mary Newlander, and three grandchildren.
He received his education in Woonsocket School Systems, and furthered his education by taking extension courses with LaSalle Extension University, Transportation Management, Alexander Hamilton Institute on Modern Business and Transportation Management. Also attended night courses on Transportation Law in Boston, Massachusetts.
Most Worshipful Brother Ballou has been employed in the field of Transportation since January, 1935, and with Draper Corporation, Hopedale, Massachusetts since 1947, and has held the position of General Traffic Manager since 1951. He holds a certificate in the American Society of Traffic and Transportation as well as memberships in many Transportation clubs and Associations.
In World War II, Most Worshipful Brother Ballou graduated from U.S. Army Transportation School, and served in the Persian Gulf Command in Iran, and the Middle East Command in Egypt. After discharge he served his State in the National Guard and was discharged with the rank of Staff Sergeant.
He is a lifelong member of the First Univorsalist Church in Woonsocket, Rhode Island.
He was made a Mason in Morning Star Lodge No. 13, on April 2, 1942, and was admitted on May 7, 1942. He was elected its Worshipful Master on January 24, 1953. In Capitular Rite he holds memberships in Union Royal Arch Chapter No. 5, Woonsocket, R. I., and Doric Council No. 7, Cranston, R. I. In Christian Knighthood he is a member of Woonsocket Commandery, No. 24, K. T. Woonsocket, R. I.
He holds membership in the four bodies of the Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite Valley of Providence and is at present 2nd. Lt. Commander in the Consistory.
Most Worshipful Brother Ballou was appointed in Grand Lodge as District Deputy Grand Master for the Seventh Masonic District in May, 1957, by the presiding Most Worshipful Grand Master George A. Farron. He was appointed each year thereafter, and served all Districts except the Fourth, and was elected Jr. Grand Warden May, 1963, Sr. Grand Warden, May, 1964 and Deputy Grand Master May, 1965.
He also serves Grand Lodge as the Grand Representative of the Grand Lodge of Illinois A. F. & A. M.
Most Worshipful Brother Ballou holds an honorary life membership in Jenks Lodge No. 24, Pawtucket, R. I., receiving the same on their 100th Anniversary Year.
He was presented the Eramus J. Phillips Medallion in Nova Scotia June, 1966, and also received a certificate to membership in the "Order of the Good Time" which was founded in 1908 in Nova Scotia.
He was elected to receive the Honorary Legion of Honor Degree at the Annual Session in Dallas, Texas of the International Supreme Council Order of DeMolay held April, 1957.
Most Worshipful Brother Ballou has been dedicated to the educational advancement in the field of Transportation, serving as chairman on several Boards and holds membership on a number of others in the educational program.
