Worshipful Brother William Taggart (also known as Billy) passed away peacefully on 28th December 2023 following a long illness.
Billy will be remembered as a true gentleman, who typified what a freemason should be. He enjoyed a long masonic career up until a few years ago when restricted mobility and a need to care for his wife, curtailed his attendance at Lodge meetings.
Until that point, he was noted for his regular attendance where he missed only a handful of meetings over a long number of years.
Billy was a key member of Harmony Masonic Lodge even in his early masonic career with his close friends, Rt Worshipful Brother Joe McKernan, Worshipful Brother Frank Campbell and Worshipful Brother Ernie Halliday, right up until recent times when he was always on hand to provide advice and support to younger and less experienced Brethren.
Billy was initiated as an Entered Apprentice into Harmony Masonic Lodge No 428 in Ballymena on 30th April 1962. He was passed to the Fellowcraft degree on 29th October 1962 and raised to the third and sublime degree of Master Mason on 26th November 1962.
He was presented with his 50-year jewel at a special ceremony on 30th April 2012, exactly 50 years after his initiation. Billy completed 60 years service to freemasonry in April 2022 and once again a special ceremony was arranged for the Stated Communication which was held on 28th May 2022. However, unfortunately Billy was unable to attend due to increased infirmity and was presented with his 60-year bar at his home on 27th October 2022.
Despite his physical infirmity, Billy remained very alert and communicative and was always able to show his sense of humour.
During his distinguished career in Ancient Craft Masonry he held a long list of offices.
He started moving through the progressive offices in Harmony Masonic Lodge in 1968 having been elected to Inner Guard in that year and reached the highest office of Worshipful Master in 1973, an achievement he would replicate 40 years later in 2013. He served as Chaplain from 1986 to 1990 and in that year, he also took on the role of Assistant Secretary to help support the late Rt Worshipful Brother Joe McKernan.
Billy became Secretary himself the following year and continued in that office for ten years until 2000. In 2001 he was elected as Almoner, an office he held until 2022. During that same period, he was also the Lodge Representative on the North Antrim Committee of Inspection. He was also a member of the Lodge of Installed Masters No 218.
Billy entered Royal Arch Masonry having been advanced to Mark Master Mason in Lodge 775 on 12th May 1966 and was exalted to Royal Arch Mason on 13th October 1966. He progressed through the offices and was Excellent King of Royal Arch Chapter 775 in 1980.
He was also initiated into Braid Valley Preceptory No 431 in 1970 and served as Eminent Preceptor in 1985.
Billy Taggart will be sadly missed within the various branches of freemasonry but none more so than in Harmony Masonic Lodge No 428 where he was the epitome of dependability, always prepared to stand in for absent officers to ensure Lodge business could be carried out.