M.W. William Frank Booth 1969
William Frank Booth
William Frank Booth was the son of Albert J. and Mary (Frank) Booth and was a life long resident of New Haven, Connecticut, where he received his education and graduated from Hillhouse High School in 1921. Brother Booth attended the Collegiate Prep School in New Haven and entered Yale University in 1923, graduating in 1927 with a Bachelor of Science Degree.
On May 27, 1933 he was married to Marion Agnes Norton in Trinity Lutheran Church, New Haven, and who now survives him.
During Brother Booth's life, he has been associated with the New Haven Dairy Company and spent over twenty years in the theatrical business as producer, broker, talent scout and booking agent. He was a member of the New Haven Boy's Club Alumni Association, Yale Alumni Association, and the Wallingford Country Club. His major interests have been in the Shriners' Hospital for Crippled Children and the Masonic Charity Foundation of Connecticut.
Brother Booth was raised a Master Mason in Olive Branch Lodge No. 84, New Haven, Connecticut on April 19, 1928, and served as Worshipful Master in 1944. He was a Past District Deputy of the Fourth Masonic District and in 1969 was elected Grand Master of Masons in the State of Connecticut. Exalted in Franklin Chapter No. 2 RA.M., New Haven, on January 5, 1943, and served as High Priest in 1949-50, received and greeted in Harmony Council No.8 R & S.M., New Haven, he served as Thrice Illustrious Master in May 11, 1943, 1947-48; Knighted in New Haven Commandery No.2, Knights Templar, New Haven on June 2, 1944, he served as Eminent Commander in 1959-60. He was a member and officer of the York Cross of Honour.
In Scottish Rites Brother Booth received the degrees conferred in the Valley of New Haven and the 32° in Bridgeport by Lafayette Consistory in 1945.
Other memberships included Pyramid Temple A.A.O.N.M.S. where he served as Potentate and Recorder, Royal Order of Jesters, Hojaz Grotto, M.O.V.P.E.R., Order of the Eastern Star, Order of Amaranth, Masonic Veterans Association of Connecticut. He served as Thrice Potent Master of E.G. Storer Lodge of Perfection, 1957; and in 1959 was elected as Sovereign Prince of Elm City Council Princes of Jerusalem; and in 1968 he was installed as Most Wise Master of New Haven Chapter of Rose Croix; at the Connecticut Council of Deliberation held in 1960 he was awarded the Arthur M. Brown 33 ° Merit Service Award. He was created an Illustrious .Honorary 33° in Cleveland in 1965.
Brother Bill was the brother of the late Albert J. (Albie) Booth, one of Yale's great immortals.
Services were conducted by Olive Branch Lodge No. 84, on the eve, preceding his burial. Funeral services were held in the Beecher-Bennett Funeral Home, Hamden, Connecticut on May 12th, with the Reverend Brother Benjamin L. Hammond of Waterbury, officiating.
Interment in the Beaverdale Memorial Park in New Haven.
Born April 30, 1889 - Passed to the Great Beyond May 5, 1971
