James Thomas Williamson

James Thomas Williamson was born in Monroe County, Kentucky, on November 19, 1916, the son of William Oscar and Flora Ellen Williamson. After high school he served in the 38th Infantry Division from March 31, 1941, to December 12, 1945. He married Bessie Holcomb, and he was a Baptist. A jewelry manufacturer, he ran his own business for many years and stayed on in management after it became part of a national chain. He enjoyed hunting and fishing.

He became an Entered Apprentice in Gray Lodge on November 10, 1952, a Fellowcraft on January 14, 1953, and a Master Mason on February 16, 1953. He was Junior Deacon in 1960–1961 and then served as Senior Deacon and Junior Warden. As a member of the Building Committee he signed the 1963 resolution to raise the dues, and he was installed as the 92nd Master in 1963 at a public installation conducted by Judge and Past Master Jackson B. Smith, Jr., aided by Past Master Fred W. Lackner, Jr.

His was the year Gray Lodge built its new home. In October 1963 architect Ira Jack Castles walked the brethren through the plans page by page, and the officers were authorized to sign a construction contract of up to $130,000. That November the nation mourned President John F. Kennedy. On February 1, 1964, the lodge opened at 8:30 in the morning and then gathered on Hillcroft Avenue, where Past Grand Master John H. Crooker gave the address, and Worshipful Master Williamson and Building Committee chairman Severin Knutson turned the first spade of dirt for the $125,000 building at 3210 Hillcroft. Judge Smith pronounced the benediction.

On April 8, 1964, Grand Master John R. Collard, Jr., and a representation of the Grand Lodge of Texas leveled the cornerstone. The new building was ready in June, and on June 17, 1964, Gray Lodge held its first meeting there, with the District Deputy Grand Masters present and a framed copy of the poem “Last Night I Knelt Where Hiram Knelt” presented by the Master of Walter M. Pierson Lodge. The lodge ended its rent payments on the old Gray-Temple building on July 1, 1964.

Brother Williamson received the 32° in the Scottish Rite on April 11, 1959, and became a Shriner of Arabia Temple that same month. He served as Grand Junior Steward in the representation that dedicated the new building in July 1964.