Whitesell-Somers Family Web Project - Person Sheet
Whitesell-Somers Family Web Project - Person Sheet
NameWilliam Boyd MASON 
470, William Boyd Mason
470, William Boyd MasonBirthNov 2, 1924, Providence, Providence County, Rhode Island470, William Boyd Mason
DeathMar 18, 2016, Westerly, Washington County, Rhode Island470, William Boyd Mason
BurialSwan Point Cemetery(Historical #3), Providence #3-Providence, Providence County, Rhode Island470, William Boyd Mason
FlagsUS Air Force, World War II
Spouses
BirthOct 7, 1915, Ettrick, Chesterfield County, Virginia470, Katherine H. Wood Mason
DeathDec 26, 1990, Westerly, Washington County, Rhode Island470, Katherine H. Wood Mason
BurialSwan Point Cemetery(Historical #3), Providence #3-Providence, Providence County, Rhode Island470, Westerly, Washington County, Rhode Island, USA
FatherHenry Clinton WOOD II (1873-1928)
MotherJessie Palmer HERITAGE (1890-1976)
ChildrenCarol Ann (-<2016)
Obituary Online notes for William Boyd MASON
William Boyd Mason, of Westerly, R.I., passed away on Friday, March 18, 2016.
The son of Earl Harrington Mason and Mabel Boyd Mason, he was born in Providence on Nov. 2, 1924.
His schooling was all in Providence: first at the Henry Barnard School, then at Classical High School, and finally Brown University where he was awarded a bachelor's degree in economics. He was a member of the class of 1945. His studies at Brown were interrupted by World War II when he joined the U.S. Air Force, ultimately becoming a First Lieutenant B-29 Radar Navigator. He flew 33 missions over Japan from a base on Saipan. During his time there he made four emergency landings on Iwo Jima (two for fuel; two for battle damage). He ended his service with the Purple Heart, Distinguished Flying Cross and The Air Medal with three clusters as well as, The Presidential Unit Citation which was awarded to the 500th Bomb Group.
Upon graduation from Brown, Bill became associated with United Fruit Company, now called Chiquita. The first seven years he spent in Costa Rica; the last 18 at the Boston headquarters. Prior to his resignation in late 1972, he was corporate comptroller of United Fruit (1963-1967); group vice-president for World-Wide Banana Operations (1967-1971) and president of Diversified Operations (1971-1972). From 1967-1972 he served as director of United Fruit and such associated companies as Baskin-Robbins, Interharvest, A&W Brands, Revere Sugar Refinery and Tropical Radio Telegraph Company.
In 1974, Bill established First Financial Advisory Services which was registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission, as a fee only personal financial planning practice. Eventually, the company was headquartered in Westerly and expanded its affiliations-mainly with First Allied Securities. He served as Registered Securities Principal and Registered Options Principal for First Affiliated Securities from 1977 to 1989. Bill was a member of the International Association of Financial Planners, and served as president and director of First Financial Advisory Services from 1974 to 2012.
During his lifetime, Bill was deeply involved in various church activities, serving as a Trustee of the First Congregational Church of Norwood, Mass., from 1959 to 1974 and of Central Baptist Church in Westerly, from 1987-1998. He chaired two Building Fund Campaigns in Norwood which resulted in a new sanctuary and a fellowship hall. He was also instrumental in reopening the 165 year old Avondale, R.I., Chapel for summer services. He served as Trustee of this chapel from 1988 to 2006.
Bill was a member of the Masonic Overseas Lodge F and AM: Masonic Veterans of Rhode Island; and the Society of Mayflower Descendants.
Survivors are his wife of 20 years, Lois Vars, of Westerly; a daughter, Constance Boyd Hester, son-in-law, Michael Hester and a granddaughter, Rebecca Hester, all of Pittsburgh, Pa.;
His first wife, Katherine Heritage Wood and his elder daughter, Carol Ann Mason predeceased him.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Bill's memory may be made to the Dunn's Corners Community Church, 221 Post Road Westerly, RI 02891 or to the Lois Vars Scholarship at the College of Pharmacy, URI, Kingston, RI, 02880. The Mason/Vars connection began in 1912 when their fathers met as students at the "old" College of Pharmacy in Providence.
A memorial service for Bill will be held on Saturday, April 2, at 11 a.m. at the Dunn's Corners Community Church, 221 Post Road, Westerly. Burial with full military Honors will be private at Swan Point Cemetery.
Arrangements have been entrusted to the Buckler-Johnston Funeral Home, 121 Main St., Westerly. 470, William Boyd Mason
The son of Earl Harrington Mason and Mabel Boyd Mason, he was born in Providence on Nov. 2, 1924.
His schooling was all in Providence: first at the Henry Barnard School, then at Classical High School, and finally Brown University where he was awarded a bachelor's degree in economics. He was a member of the class of 1945. His studies at Brown were interrupted by World War II when he joined the U.S. Air Force, ultimately becoming a First Lieutenant B-29 Radar Navigator. He flew 33 missions over Japan from a base on Saipan. During his time there he made four emergency landings on Iwo Jima (two for fuel; two for battle damage). He ended his service with the Purple Heart, Distinguished Flying Cross and The Air Medal with three clusters as well as, The Presidential Unit Citation which was awarded to the 500th Bomb Group.
Upon graduation from Brown, Bill became associated with United Fruit Company, now called Chiquita. The first seven years he spent in Costa Rica; the last 18 at the Boston headquarters. Prior to his resignation in late 1972, he was corporate comptroller of United Fruit (1963-1967); group vice-president for World-Wide Banana Operations (1967-1971) and president of Diversified Operations (1971-1972). From 1967-1972 he served as director of United Fruit and such associated companies as Baskin-Robbins, Interharvest, A&W Brands, Revere Sugar Refinery and Tropical Radio Telegraph Company.
In 1974, Bill established First Financial Advisory Services which was registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission, as a fee only personal financial planning practice. Eventually, the company was headquartered in Westerly and expanded its affiliations-mainly with First Allied Securities. He served as Registered Securities Principal and Registered Options Principal for First Affiliated Securities from 1977 to 1989. Bill was a member of the International Association of Financial Planners, and served as president and director of First Financial Advisory Services from 1974 to 2012.
During his lifetime, Bill was deeply involved in various church activities, serving as a Trustee of the First Congregational Church of Norwood, Mass., from 1959 to 1974 and of Central Baptist Church in Westerly, from 1987-1998. He chaired two Building Fund Campaigns in Norwood which resulted in a new sanctuary and a fellowship hall. He was also instrumental in reopening the 165 year old Avondale, R.I., Chapel for summer services. He served as Trustee of this chapel from 1988 to 2006.
Bill was a member of the Masonic Overseas Lodge F and AM: Masonic Veterans of Rhode Island; and the Society of Mayflower Descendants.
Survivors are his wife of 20 years, Lois Vars, of Westerly; a daughter, Constance Boyd Hester, son-in-law, Michael Hester and a granddaughter, Rebecca Hester, all of Pittsburgh, Pa.;
His first wife, Katherine Heritage Wood and his elder daughter, Carol Ann Mason predeceased him.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Bill's memory may be made to the Dunn's Corners Community Church, 221 Post Road Westerly, RI 02891 or to the Lois Vars Scholarship at the College of Pharmacy, URI, Kingston, RI, 02880. The Mason/Vars connection began in 1912 when their fathers met as students at the "old" College of Pharmacy in Providence.
A memorial service for Bill will be held on Saturday, April 2, at 11 a.m. at the Dunn's Corners Community Church, 221 Post Road, Westerly. Burial with full military Honors will be private at Swan Point Cemetery.
Arrangements have been entrusted to the Buckler-Johnston Funeral Home, 121 Main St., Westerly. 470, William Boyd Mason