Grand Master

Grand Master William Gordon Hinton was born in Hopkinsville, Kentucky, August 31,1947. He is the son of Brother Lawrence Hinton and Nellie Mae Hollingsworth Hinton. William was educated in the Hopkinsville school system and graduated form Hopkinsville High School with honors in 1965. He received the Bachelor of Music Education Degree from the George Peabody College for Teachers, Nashville, Tennessee, in 1969, and the Master of Arts in Education Degree from Austin Peay State University, Clarksville, Tennessee, in 1972. He completed additional graduate work at Austin Peay, the University of Kentucky, and Murray State University. Grand Master Hinton served as a teacher and choral director at the Hopkinsville High School and Koffman Junior High School from 1969- 1971. He was the Director of Music and Education at First United Methodist Church, Hopkinsville, 1972-1975. He joined the staff of the University of Kentucky, Hopkinsville Community College and served as Coordinator of Continuing Education for a year prior to his position as Dean of Student Affairs/Registrar beginning in 1977, until he resigned from this position in order to give one hundred percent of his time to the office of Grand Master. William is a member of Grace Episcopal Church, Hopkinsville, and served as Choirmaster 1970-1972 and 1975-1977. He is currently "on leave" as a member of the choir at this church. The Kiwanis Club of Hopkinsville has always considered him as an active member, and he served the club as a Board Member 1976-1977. MASONIC DATA William has always been interested in Masonic and related activities, and as soon as he was of the proper age, he became a member of the Hopkinsville Chapter, Order of DeMolay, and is a Senior DeMolay. Bill, as he is called by his friends, worked very diligently and was a leader in the ritual and activities of the Order of DeMolay. The Masonic bodies in Hopkinsville were thankful for his leadership and service and for the accomplishments of the DeMolay Chapter. He lead the young men to great recognition and awards. His record reads as follows: I. DeMolay: Hopkinsville Chapter, Order of DeMolay, Hopkinsville, KY A. Senior DeMolay 1. Past Master Councilor 2. Recipient of the Past Master Councilor Meritorious Service Award 3. Leadership Correspondence Course Graduate 4. Representative DeMolay, 1964 5. Chevalier, 1966 6. Active Legion of Honor, 1979 7. Charter Member, DeMolay Alumni Association B. Advisor 1. Chapter Advisor of Hopkinsville Chapter 2. Cross of Honor, 1976 3. Guild of the Leather Apron (Advisor of the Year), 1981 4. Former Chaplain, Secretary and Chairman of State Advisory Council 5. Governor of Western Area of Kentucky DeMolay Association C. Kentucky DeMolay Foundation, Inc. 1. Former Secretary and Vice President 2. President, 1991-1992 D. International Supreme Council 1. Honorary Member, March 24, 1982 2. Active Member, May 15, 1985 3. Vice Chairman, Policy and Purpose Committee Bill has been active in support and assistance to the Order of Rainbow for Girls. He has served this Order as follows: II. Rainbow: Hopkinsville Assembly No. 42, Hopkinsville, KY A. Former member of Advisory Board B. Grand Cross of Color, 1976 A summary of his Symbolic Lodge accomplishments is as follows: III. Blue Lodge: Hopkinsville Lodge No. 37, F.&A.M., Hopkinsville, KY A. Degree Dates: EA—11/23/68; FC—12/30/68; MM—2/8/69 B. Master, 1976 C. District Deputy Grand Master of District 7, 1977-78 D. President, West Kentucky Past Masters' Society, 1985 E. District Mason of the Year, District No. 7, 1986 F. Board of Directors, Masonic Widows and Orphans' Home and InfirmaryH. Board of Directors, Masonic Retirement Village I. Grand Junior Warden, 1988-89 J. Grand Senior Warden, 1989,90 K. Deputy Grand Master, 1990-91 L. Grand Master, 1991-92 Bill has always been very active and supportive in the Masonic bodies in Western Kentucky and throughout the Commonwealth of Kentucky and adjoining states. At the same time he has been very active in all of the York Rite Bodies in a wide area of Kentucky and adjoining states and also on national and international levels. A brief list of his activities and offices held is as follows: IV. York Rite: Hopkinsville York Rite, Hopkinsville, KY A. High Priest, Oriental Chapter No. 14, R.A.M., 1976-77 (RAM 9/26/ 70) B. Master, Warren Council No. 2, R.&S.M., 1977-78 (R&SM 9/26/70) C. Commander, Moore Commandery No. 6, K.T., 1977-78 (KT 11/7/ 70) D. Governor, Blue Grass York Rite College No. 104, 1987-88 E. Advisor to West Kentucky York Rite College No. 157 F. Grand Captain General, 1977-78 G. Grand Generalissimo, 1978-79 H. Deputy Grand Commander, 1979-80 I. Grand Commander, 1980-81 J. Chairman, Grand Encampment Triennial Conclave Committee, 1987-89 K. Chairman, Grand Encampment DeMolay Committee, 1991-1993 L. Holy Order of High Priesthood, 1977 M. Order of the Silver Trowel, 1977 N. Knight Crusaders of the Cross, 1981 O. Preceptor, Kentucky Chapter, Knights Preceptor, 1990-1991 P. President, Knights Templar Recorders'Association, 1983-84 Q. Knights of the York Cross of Honour, October 9,1980 R. Knight York Grand Cross of Honour, August 16,1981 S. Golgotha Tabernacle No. XrV, H.R.A.K.T.P., July 24, 1982 T. Preceptor, Golgotha Tabernacle No. XIV, H.R.A.K.T.P., 1991-92 U. Assistant General Grand Organist, General Grand Chapter, R.A.M., 1987 The Grand Master has been very active in the Scottish Rite, the Shrine and other Masonic and appendant Masonic orders. He has served well and in important positions. Some of these other activities are listed as follows:G. Board of Directors, Old Masons' Home of Kentucky H. Board of Directors, Masonic Retirement Village I. Grand Junior Warden, 1988-89 J. Grand Senior Warden, 1989,90 K. Deputy Grand Master, 1990-91 L. Grand Master, 1991-92 Bill has always been very active and supportive in the Masonic bodies in Western Kentucky and throughout the Commonwealth of Kentucky and adjoining states. At the same time he has been very active in all of the York Rite Bodies in a wide area of Kentucky and adjoining states and also on national and international levels. A brief list of his activities and offices held is as follows: IV. York Rite: Hopkinsville York Rite, Hopkinsville, KY A. High Priest, Oriental Chapter No. 14, R.A.M., 1976-77 (RAM 9/26/ 70) B. Master, Warren Council No. 2, R.&S.M., 1977-78 (R&SM 9/26/70) C. Commander, Moore Commandery No. 6, K.T., 1977-78 (KT 11/7/ 70) D. Governor, Blue Grass York Rite College No. 104, 1987-88 E. Advisor to West Kentucky York Rite College No. 157 F. Grand Captain General, 1977-78 G. Grand Generalissimo, 1978-79 H. Deputy Grand Commander, 1979-80 I. Grand Commander, 1980-81 J. Chairman, Grand Encampment Triennial Conclave Committee, 1987-89 K. Chairman, Grand Encampment DeMolay Committee, 1991-1993 L. Holy Order of High Priesthood, 1977 M. Order of the Silver Trowel, 1977 N. Knight Crusaders of the Cross, 1981 O. Preceptor, Kentucky Chapter, Knights Preceptor, 1990-1991 P. President, Knights Templar Recorders'Association, 1983-84 Q. Knights of the York Cross of Honour, October 9,1980 R. Knight York Grand Cross of Honour, August 16,1981 S. Golgotha Tabernacle No. XrV, H.R.A.K.T.P., July 24, 1982 T. Preceptor, Golgotha Tabernacle No. XIV, H.R.A.K.T.P., 1991-92 U. Assistant General Grand Organist, General Grand Chapter, R.A.M., 1987 The Grand Master has been very active in the Scottish Rite, the Shrine and other Masonic and appendant Masonic orders. He has served well and in important positions. Some of these other activities are listed as follows: V. Scottish Rite: West Kentucky Scottish Rite, Madisonville, KY (1971) A. Past President, Pennyrile Scottish Rite Club B. Class Director, West Kentucky Scottish Rite C. Received K.C.C.H., October 21, 1985 D. Coroneted 33rd Degree, November 30, 1991 VI. Shrine: Rizpah Temple, Madisonville, KY (2/26/77) A. Past President, Past Masters' Unit B. Member, Hopkinsville Shrine Club C. Member, Pennyrile Court No. 171, Royal Order of Jesters, June 11, 1980 VII. Other: A. Past Patron, Carrie Hart Chapter No. 83, O.E.S. B. Past District Deputy Grand Patron, District 17 C. Past Watchman of Shepherds, Acacia Shrine No. 17, W.S. of J. D. Past President, Hopkinsville Masonic Temple Association, Inc. E. Kentucky Chapter, The Philalethes Society F. Kentucky College, S.R.I.C.F., May 20, 1988 G. Royal Order of Scotland, December 16,1981; Life Member, August 31,1991 H. Daniel Boone Chapter No. 512, National Sojourners, January 16, 1990 I. Grand College of Rites, February 16, 1980 J. Allied Masonic Degrees, February 16, 1980 K. Knight Masons of the U.S.A., February 16, 1980 L. Masonic Order of the Bath, February 16, 1980 M. Ye Antient Order of Corks, February 16, 1980 N. St. John's Day League of Kentucky, Inc., Board of Directors, Honorary Membership, May 23, 1991 VIII. Grand Representatives: A. Grand Lodge of Austria, April 11, 1990 B. Grand Chapter of Western Australia, 1986 C. Grand Council of Florida, February 19, 1982 D. Grand Commandery of Arizona, November 7, 1978 It does not seem possible that there could be more when we view his many activities, but there are many seemingly small related services that tie in with his many activities so that they are just too many to imagine or mention. Suffice it to say that this young Grand Master has been a very busy Mason, and his friends and Brothers are very proud of him and the great record that he has set. The Grand Master is a Masonic scholar. He has traveled extensively and has visited many Masonic lodges in our country and in other countries. He has studied Masonry and learns much as he studies. He is able to retain what he learns and can pass it on to other Brethren. His ability and willingness to do this is commendable and very helpful to those with whom he associates, and is beneficial to our Masonic education. This makes him very important to our Fraternity and to the advancement of our high ideals. We believe that our Grand Master portrays a very fine image of Masonry and its teachings. He, like Past Grand Master Barber L. Shelton, is "living his Masonry," in that he is portraying a true image as a Grand Master of Masons. He is an honor to the office and image of the Grand Master in his appearance and conduct. We believe that he is deserving of the respect, admiration and support of his Masonic Brethren. This is not a complete biography of Grand Master William Gordon Hinton, but it shows that he has been a very busy Mason. We know that he is even much busier as Grand Master than he has ever been before and that he is putting much effort into his tenure as the Grand Master of Masons of Kentucky. We wish him the very best and well deserved success in all of his endeavors.