Most Excellent Past Grand High Priest (2014 – 2015)
Companion William J. Hussey, Jr., was born in 1962 at Robinson. In 2013 he married Myrna Kay Tinsley. He is a sales representative, marketing food products and consumer-packaged goods. He has two children (Crystal & Daniel) from a previous marriage, and three grand children (Dylyn, Big J.R. & Matthew). He is a Past Commander of Sons of the American Legion Post 69 in Robinson.
Our MEPGHP was raised to the sublime degree of Master Mason on 24 October 1984 in Palestine Lodge No. 849, Ancient Free & Accepted Masons of Illinois, in Palestine, Illinois, where presided as Worshipful Master in the years 1988 and 2005. He is a plural member of Robinson Lodge No. 250 in Robinson, and an honorary member of Greenup Lodge No. 125 in Greenup and Fairfield Lodge No. 206. He has served on the Grand Lodge Arrangements Committee and is the Grand Lodge Membership Committee.
Bill was advanced to the degree of Mark Master and exalted to the supreme degree of Holy Royal Arch Mason, both on 16 June 2007 in Henry Godeke Chapter No. 38 in Olney (now in Bridgeport). He serves on the Grand Chapter’s Public Relations, Membership committee, and previously served as an Area Coordinator overseeing six chapters. On 31 July 2009, outgoing MEGHP Richard E. Yena awarded Bill the Lyle R. Melvin Distinguished Service Award of Illinois. He joined the Grand Chapter line on 1 August 2008 as Excellent Grand Master of the First Veil, and was elected and installed as Right Excellent Deputy Grand High Priest on 19 July 2013.
Companion Hussey was greeted as a Select Master on 16 June 2007 in W. R. Lashbrook Council No. 55, Cryptic Masons of Illinois, in Olney (now in Bridgeport), where he served as Thrice Illustrious Master 2011-2012. He has served as a District Inspector for the Grand Council.
Bill was dubbed and created a Knight of the Valiant and Magnanimous Order of the Temple on 16 June 2007 in Gorin Commandery No. 14, Knights Templar of the State of Illinois, in Olney (now in Bridgeport), He presided as Eminent Commander 2009- 2010. On 31 July 2010, Outgoing Illinois Grand Commander Joseph W. Lucas awarded Bill the G. Wilber Bell Excalibur Award.
Our MEPGHP was initiated into Wabash Valley Council No. 454, Allied Masonic Degrees, on 28 November 2007 in Albion, where he currently serves as Senior Warden.
As a Past Master, Past High Priest, Past Thrice Illustrious Master, and Past Eminent Commander, Sir Knight Hussey was received into Illinois Priory No. 11 as a Knight of the York Cross of Honor on 28 July 2012.
Bill created a Knight of York in Southern Illinois York Rite College No. 33 on 12 September 2009 in Mt. Vernon.
Brother Hussey was created a 32° Scottish Rite Freemason and Sublime Prince of the Royal Secret in March 1988 in the Valley of Danville, Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite, where he served as Most Wise Master of the valley’s George E. Burrow Chapter of Rose Croix in 1995-1996. In recognition of his service to Scottish Rite Freemasonry, he was coroneted a 33° Freemason and Inspector General Honorary on 30 August 2005 at Grand Rapids, Michigan by the Supreme Council of Sovereign Grand Inspectors General of the 33rd and Last Degree of the Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite of Freemasonry for the Northern Masonic Jurisdiction of the United States of America. He has served on the membership committee for the Illinois Council of Deliberation.