William H. Jett was born in Spokane, Washington on September 23, 1920. He graduated from Wenatchee High School in May of 1938 and attended Washington State for two years. He worked for the Chelan County P.U.D. at the time of the declaration of World War II. He was inducted into a Sea Bee Battalion U.S.N.R. in 1942.At the age of 21 he petitioned Riverside Lodge #112 for the Degrees of Freemasonry. He received his Degrees during Military leave. William Hodge Jett was Born 9-23-1920 in Wenatchee. Initiated 3-20-1942, Passed 4-10-1942 and Raised 4-24-1942 Brother Jett sacrificed his life on November 4, 1944, during a Japanese attack. Brother Jett was committed to burial at the McKinley War Memorial, Manila, Philippine Islands, with Heroic Military Honors. Riverside Lodge No. 112 received it s Charter on June 15, 1900 and was the only Masonic Lodge in Wenatchee for forty-six years. After much discussion the forming of a new Lodge in Wenatchee voted on and approved by the membership of Riverside Lodge. At the suggestion of Worshipful Master Harry Ahlers, the new Lodge was named William H. Jett Lodge U.D. It was in honor of a young man and Mason that was a member of Riverside Lodge and the first Mason killed in war in the South Pacific Theater of action. Much appreciation was given to Riverside Lodge No. 112 for their Brotherly love and fraternal assistance over the years and for making this Lodge possible. The two Lodges work very close today on many projects as well as Degree work. Newspaper Clipping from the Wenatchee World 1946 L. To R. WB James W. Jett, MWB Stewart E. Perry, GM, WB Charles C. Simpson, the 1st Worshipful Master
Installed on July 19, 1946 Worshipful Master- Charles C. Simpson Senior Warden-Walter H. Ramsey Junior Warden-Claude H. Norton Treasurer- Harry J. Ahlers Secretary-Glenn A. Woods Chaplain- C. Warren Reid Marshal- Norris W. Johnson Senior Deacon-Ronald F. Watt Junior Deacon- Royal T. Pinkerton Senior Steward- Mark W. Choate Junior Steward- Calvin D. Brown Tyler- Tom Jett 1948 Installation, Walter H. Ramsey as Master
VWB Ruben Rose served as Master in 1970, 76, and served as District Deputy, Grand Master in District No. 21 from Jett Lodge for the years 1972-1973. VWB James Blane served as Master in 1957 and served as the second District Deputy, Grand Master in District No. 21 from Jett Lodge for the years 1983-1984. V.W.B. Norris Johnson was Master in 1951 and served as the first District Deputy, Grand Master in District No. 21 from Jett Lodge for the years 1956-1957. Robert Blane served as Master in 1983 and served as the second District Deputy, Grand Master in District No. 21 from Jett Lodge for the years 1995-1996. Steven Guffy served as Master in 1996, for Jett Lodge s 50th Anniversary and served again in 2006 and served as District Deputy, Grand Master in District No. 21 from Jett Lodge for the years 2001-2002. Three Generations of men in Jett Lodge Charter member Everett Melton and his Grandson Chad and son Cal. Another three generations VWB Steve his son Charles and Father Leonard along with VWB Steve s youngest son Ryan whom is not pictured.
Our current District Deputy, Grand Master in District No. 21 from Jett Lodge for the years 2012-2014 and Junior Past Master. Three brothers in Lodge Jim, Dan and Russ Hepler. One of our visits with our Sister Lodge Prince Charles Lodge #153 Kelowna, BC Officers waiting to be installed during the late WB Gerald Travis s year. VWB Steve Guffy with the winner in the Bikes-4-Books Program at one of the Wenatchee Schools. The program was started in Wenatchee by VWB Steve after MWB Bill Wood started it in Brewster. This program is now in thirteen schools in the greater Wenatchee area.
Partnering with our Brother Brian Wintermeier Jett Lodge took prospective members and their families out for pizza and bowling. This enabled families to come and meet us in a non-threatening manner. WB Jim McQuinn and his son Mike. WB Rick Reid as Santa for the December meeting and always plays Santa for the Robert Dickson Memorial Christmas Dinner. Our current Junior Grand Warden with Jett Lodge s young Masons. William H. Jett Lodge #285 current Master WB Bruce Schneller celebrating 67 years of Freemasonry in the Wenatchee Valley in 2013-14.