RIGMAbbey
WILLIAM H. ABBEY 1927-
Grand Master x-y
BIOGRAPHY
William H. Abbey of Rumford was elected and installed the One Hundred and Thirty-Second Most Worshipful Grand Master of Masons 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 its 196th Annual Communication held at the Scottish Rite Cathedral in Cranston, Rhode Island, on May 18, 1987.
Most Worshipful Brother Abbey was born in Rumford, Rhode Island, on August 5, 1927, the son of Joseph J. and M. Elizabeth (Scholes) Abbey. He was educated in the East Providence Public School System.
He served in the United States Army, taking basic training at Fort Bragg, North Carolina. After completing his basic training he was assigned to the 60th Field Artillery Battalion, 9th Infantry Division, stationed in Augsburg, Germany, and the 338th Field Artillery Battalion, 88th Infantry Division, stationed in Gorizia, Italy. He was Honorably Discharged on July 17, 1947.
Upon discharge from the Army he returned to employment with the Kennecott Wire and Cable Company which eventually became The Okonite Company. After over forty years of employment with Okonite he retired from the position of Manager of Multi Plant Personnel.
On June 19, 1948, he married the former Frances Margaret McKeen of Rumford, Rhode Island. This marriage was blessed with two children, Cheryl Frances now age thirty-one, and Alan William now age twenty-eight. Frances and Bill have four grandchildren, Robert Webster age eleven, Jason Webster age five, Danielle Abbey age four, and Christopher Abbey age nineteen months.
Most Worshipful Brother Abbey joined Rising Sun Lodge #30, and was raised as a Master Mason on December 12,1952. In May of 1954 he was appointed Sentinel by Wor. Brother James A. Fraser, on the recommendation of Wor. Brother Charles Cummings. On May 25, 1962, he was installed Worshipful Master of Rising Sun Lodge #30. He was appointed by Most Worshipful Brother William G. Hunt as his Grand Master of Ceremonies in 1965 and became Most Worshipful Brother Hunt's Grand Marshal in May of 1974.
In May of 1975 he was awarded the Grand Lodge Distinguished Service Medal. Most Worshipful Brother Wesley J. Reuter appointed Most Worshipful Brother Abbey as Seventh District Deputy Grand Master in May, 1977. Most Worshipful Brother Abbey was elected Junior Grand Warden in May, 1984; Senior Grand Warden in May, 1985, and Deputy Grand Master in May, 1986.
He is an affiliate Member of Saint Andrews Lodge #39; a member of Providence Royal Arch Chapter #1; Rhode Island Convention Anointed High Priests; Adoniram Council #8; Saint John's Commandery #1 K.T.; Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite Valley of Providence; the Masonic Veteran's Association of Rhode Island; Royal Order of Jesters Providence Court #71; Sword of Bunker Hill Gaspee Order #99 and Palestine Temple A. A. O. N. M. S. of Cranston, Rhode Island. He is a member of the Clown Unit and is an active Shrine Clown.
