Carl Anthony Williams

  Carl A. (Anthony) Williams, the youngest of five boys, was born to Clarence and Lula Williams in Cleveland, Ohio, on May 4, 1958. He was baptized at St. Adalbert Catholic Church in June 1958 and has
been a member for more than 60 years. He attended St. Adalbert Grade School; matriculated to Benedictine High School; and graduated from John Adams High School in 1976. He later attended Ohio
State University for leadership and steward training courses. He has also taken several safety courses in connection with his professional career.

  In September 1974, Brother Williams began working as a stock clerk for Pick-n-Pay Supermarkets until March 1980 when he began his career with the U.S. Postal Service. During his employment he worked in various areas of supervision and safety. He also served as a union steward, financial secretary, and an administrative assistant to the president of the Cleveland Area Local American Postal Workers Union No. 72. After 34 years of service, he retired in March 2014 as a retail sales associate.

  In the spring of 1982, he met a beautiful young lady—a co-worker named Cheryl—who became the love of his life and eventually his wife. They are the proud parents of two wonderful daughters—Secoya and Shadae. They also have five magnificent grandchildren: Raymond and Roman Carey; and Kendall, Roy Allen Lejacque, Jr., and Raylen Bumpers.

  Brother Williams’ favorite pastimes are spending time with his family and friends; encouraging Brothers to subdue their passions and improve themselves in Masonry; and praising God from whom all his blessings flow. With the Grand Architect of the Universe directing his path he has been blessed beyond measure during his tenure in freemasonry. In his 32nd year of service, with God, his family, and the support of the brethren the journey continues.

 

Brother Williams is a member of Ecclesiastes Lodge No. 120, being Initiated as an Entered Apprentice in January 1991. He was selected as Master Mason of the Year in October 1995 and served as Worshipful Master in 2000.

Brother Williams was Exalted to the degree of Royal Arch in Cuyahoga Chapter No. 36 in October 1991. In December 2001, he was selected as the Royal Arch Mason of the Year. Companion Williams served as Excellent High Priest in 2007 and was made an Honorary Most Excellent Grand High Priest in April 2016.

In the spring of 1992, Brother Williams was Greeted as a Royal and Select Master of Adoniram Council, No. 1 (the first Council of Royal and Select Masters in Prince Hall freemasonry). He was selected as Companion of the Year in December 1996 and served as Thrice Illustrious Master for the year of 1999. He was accorded Honorary Grand Thrice Illustrious Master status in May 2013.

In April 1992, Brother Williams was Dubbed as a Knight Templar in Emanuel Commandery No. 32, Cleveland, Ohio. He was selected as Sir Knight of the Year in December 2000 and served as Eminent Commander in 2002. Sir Knight Williams was accorded Honorary Right Eminent Grand Commander status in July 2016.

Brother Williams was admitted into the Garden of Kings of Alpha Priory No. 1 in June 2008.

In November 1991, Brother Williams was Created a Noble of El Hasa Temple No. 28. In August 2003, he was Exalted as an Honorary Past Potentate. In August 2015, he was admitted into the Legion of Honor and in August 2022 he was Exalted as an Honorary Past Imperial Potentate.

In August 2001, Brother Williams was appointed as the northern Ohio jurisdiction Editor for The Lamp. He was also appointed as a Lamp reporter; Souvenir Journal chairperson for the 7 th Masonic District; and as a member of the Grand Lodge Mentoring Committee. He was appointed as the Deputy Grand Lecturer of the 7 th Masonic District in August 2003 and August 2005. In August 2007, he was appointed as the Right Worshipful Grand Lecturer. On August 2, 2009, he was elected as the Right Worshipful Junior Grand Warden. On August 9, 2011, he was elected as the Right Worshipful Senior Grand Warden. On
August 6, 2013, he was elected as the Right Worshipful Deputy Grand Master. On August 12, 2015, with the blessings of the Supreme Architect of the Universe and the will of the Craft, the 24-year journey to the Grand East culminated in election as the 62 nd Most Worshipful Grand Master of the Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge of Ohio—Free and Accepted Masons.

Brother Williams was appointed as the Chairman of the Prince Hall Stamp Initiative of the Conference of Grand Masters, Prince Hall Masons, Inc., in May 2016. All that remains is awaiting a final decision from the United States Postal Service.

Brother Williams was Advanced to the degree of Sublime Prince of the Royal Secret in Bezaleel Consistory No. 15 in October 1991. He was Elevated to Grand Inspector General in May 2002 as a member of the James Gayles Class. At that time he was also appointed as the Chief Deputy Convention Director serving under the tutelage of then Convention Director, S.G.I.G. Charles W. “Charlie” Hales 33°.

Having the privilege of being mentored by Sovereign Grand Commander Solomon Wallace 33°, Illustrious Williams labored diligently in the camps. In 2008, he was co-chairman at the inception of the USC NJ’s “Saving the African American Male: From the Cradle to College” mentoring program in the Valley of Cleveland along with S.G.I.G. Leonard B. Jackson 33° and S.G.I.G. Hilton O. Smith 33°.

In addition to serving on various committees of the USC NJ, Illustrious Williams was appointed as the Overseer of the Orient of Ohio by Sovereign Grand Commander Basil L. Sands 33° in June 2016. During the 135 th Annual Session (45 th Triennium) of the USC NJ held in the Holy See of Philadelphia in May 2017, Illustrious Williams was reclassified to Active status and appointed as the 13 th Most Illustrious Commander-in-Chief and Deputy for the Orient of Ohio.

In February 2018, following 16 years of diligent service, Illustrious Williams was promoted from Chief Deputy Convention Director to become the Convention Director for the USC NJ. His longtime mentor, S.G.I.G. Charles W. “Charlie” Hales 33°, retired from the position.