Illustrious Sir Bill Newhouse
Potentate 2013


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Many years ago in the small town of Oregon City on the banks of the mighty Willamette River the first boy child was born to Bill and Olive Newhouse. It was right next door to Brother Baker's Holy Roller Church and the very first thing little Bill would remember was that beautiful choir singing praises to the Lord. That was on Duane Street, but since I was born there, and a new sub-division was installed at the east end of the street, just past the Mt. View Cemetery, the name Duane was just not colorful enough, so the name had to be transformed to Barclay
Hills Drive. The house I was born in is still there, but it has not transformed.

Growing up in a small town is not easy, mainly because everyone knows your Mom and Dad! This leaves little room for hilarity. It’’s hard to believe, but most of my grade school teachers and also those at high school actually had taught my mother: in the same school. In spite of my poor grades in attitude I managed to graduate from Oregon City High School. My greatest achievement was the fact that I managed to meet my wife Shirley right there: right next to my locker. And our great love affair has lasted for over 50 years! It was in High School that I found out about DeMolay: It was a rather prestigious fraternity back then so, I petitioned to join, was accepted and eventually became Master Councilor of Multnomah #1 Chapter. My High School principal, Mr. Barnett, thought that I could save my dad a lot of money and me a lot of time, by just going to work at the Crown Willamette paper mill, but my dad, luckily was a visionary and insisted that I go to Oregon State College.

I took the entrance exam to Reed College, passed it and was given a small scholarship, but unfortunately, not enough money to allow me to matriculate there. Upon taking a series of placement tests, predecessors to the SATs, I was surprised to find that I did rather well in English, Math, and Science; consequently I began my studies at Oregon State as an Engineering student. I Joined Delta Upsilon Fraternity. It was there that I learned how to work in the kitchen, to help defray expenses. I also held several offices in the fraternity, one of them being Study Chairman! While at DU, I got a really good job as Campus Representative for the American Tobacco Company: a great job for a cigarette smoker, which I was. Having gross amounts of sample cigarettes to give out, made one very popular on campus.

After my junior year, I somehow became disenchanted with engineering, and was not at all certain that I wanted to be an engineer. With ever-increasing pressure from the Draft Board, I felt obligated to do my military service. I was interested in flying and thought that the Air Force Aviation Cadet Program looked interesting, but so was becoming an officer in the United States Navy, so I wrote the exams for both the Air Force Cadet program and the United Stated Naval Academy. Half way through the Cadet program, the Naval Academy sent me a letter telling me to report to Annapolis.  Too late, but it was nice to be asked.

After completing my military service, I married Shirley, and we went back to Oregon State, but this time majoring in Pharmacy. I'd tell you why but that's a whole other story. I completed my Pharmacy studies, with lot of help from Shirley, and began my career as a Compounding Pharmacist at Sav More Drug Store in
Newport, Oregon.

Over the ensuing years, I worked for many independent Pharmacies, Chain Stores, and even opened our own store back in Oregon City. It was when I first worked on Main Street, Oregon City, across from Multnomah Lodge #1, that I became aware of Masonry and petitioned Multnomah #1. I became an officer in Multnomah #'1, but I found that the Profession of Pharmacy was very demanding, and the long and varied hours played havoc with the work at lodge. Well, I lasted at my profession for another 50 years. Over those years, we raised three sons, and sent them to college, and are now working on our seven grandsons and one granddaughter. At times it seemed as if I belonged to everything there was: Free Masons, Shriners, Elks, Kiwanis, Junior Chamber of Commerce, Clackamas County Pharmacists Association, Oregon State Pharmacists Association, Portland Retail Druggist Association, Clackamas County Baseball Association. Scoutmaster, American Pharmacy Association, Curriculum Committee at Riverside School, Clackamas County Ham Radio Club, and Deacon, Elder, and President of the Church Council of our Lutheran Church.

As you can see, I have a wide variety of leadership experience and I trust that this has prepared me to serve as your Potentate.  God willing and with the help of our Divan and you Nobles and Ladies, I am confident that we will succeed in having a great year 2013 at AI Kader Shriners.

 


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