William Slater II, R.W. Grand Master (2004-2005)

When he assumed the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania’s highest post in 2004 at age 45, Brother William Slater II, Lodge No. 45, Pittsburgh, was the youngest to have led the fraternity since Brother Benjamin Franklin, who was 28. Today, he and Stephanie, his lady of 12 years, split their time among their favorite places: Jupiter, Fla.; Conneaut Lake, Pa., and his hometown of Pittsburgh.

Brother Bill is the owner and President of Slater Family Services Inc., which operates six funeral homes in the Pittsburgh area and surrounding counties, a business which his son, Brother Wes, plans to take over someday. In fact, the 19-year-old is working for his father during his summer break and “doing a fantastic job,” Brother Bill says. Brother Wes will enter his sophomore year at the University of Dayton, where he received an academic scholarship to study business administration.

Sydney, Brother Bill’s 21-year-old daughter, will begin her senior year at John Carroll University in Cleveland, Ohio, studying wellness and fitness training and playing volleyball, which has earned her an athletic scholarship. This summer, she is working at a gym and as a nanny while taking summer courses.

Brother Bill recently celebrated the 89th birthday of his mother, Dee Rogers, who enjoys her condo in Juno Beach when it gets cold up north and spends her summers at Conneaut Lake.

Brother Bill attends Masonic events as his schedule permits. He remains a member of Wallace Memorial Presbyterian Church and has been named a life member of Greentree Rotary Club. Boating remains his greatest passion, whether at the lake or in the ocean, often with Stephanie at his side. When Stephanie’s not busy with her advertising sales career, she loves to cook and plant beautiful floral landscapes at their homes.

“Masonry opened my world up to many friendships and taught me a lot of leadership skills,” Brother Bill said. Giving his son his First Degree last year ranked among his proudest Masonic memories. Brother Wes received his First and Second Degrees the traditional way, then his Third through 32nd at the 2016 One Day Class. “If your son decides to become a member, it’s a major highlight, right up there with becoming Master,” Brother Bill recalls.