Ashe Mountain Times

At first, 91-year-old Ben Winters' decision to accept an invitation to one of the world's most secretive and exalted organizations was simple.

Winter's grandfather was a Mason and many of the men in the small Ohio township of Wellington also belonged to the fraternal order. 

“I just know it was a secret society for men. It wasn't spoken about too much,” said his granddaughter Christy Myer.

Winters now reflects on decades of loyal and faithful service to his brothers. Friday, he was honored for 70 years of service by the local lodge.

He prides himself knowing that he joins a long line of illustrious Freemasons, including the nation's first president, George Washington. Statesmen Ben Franklin, actor Clark Gable, escape artist Harry Houdini, country music star Brad Paisley, golfing icon Arnold Palmer, and several U.S. presidents and foreign leaders throughout the world are also Masons.

“It's a very honorable organization, and I'm very honored to be part of it,” Winter said.

John Brown, the master of Ashe Lodge No. 594, presented Winters with a certificate. Margate Health and Rehab Center officials were also present, along with his daughters Marla Powell and Karen Reynolds, and granddaughter Myer.

Brown said he had seen a 50-year presentation, but never 70.

“This is just amazing to me and he is a wonderful inspiration,” said Brown, who despite the fact he had only known Winters three days prior the presentation, was completely taken back by his distinguished service to the order.

“I'm shocked,” said Myer on her grandfather's achievement. “I still couldn't believe it the other day when I was texting my mother-in-law, she said, ‘My gosh! How old is he?

“It's really amazing.”

While Winters affiliation is with an Ohioan lodge, the Ashe County lodge agreed to provide the ceremony in his honor.

“We haven't had a ceremony like this in quite a while,” said Brown.

Winters is one of about 2 million Masons nationwide and 6 million worldwide.

 

Life of service

Born and raised in New Philadelphia, Ohio, Winters chose a career as a mortician following high school.

He completed two apprenticeships before he served his country in World War II with the Army's First Calvary Division and was stationed in Germany.

When he returned stateside, he discovered undertakers were in low demand, so he turned to civil service and landed a position with the U.S. Postal Service, a position he would hold for the next 31 years.

In between careers and time overseas, Winters found time for love. After only five dates, he proposed to his wife, Flegle, on the night of his college graduation. The short, intense courtship turned into a 68-year marriage.

When the couple moved to Florida, he became involved in a wheelchair ministry that provided transportation for disabled congregation members to and from their place of worship.

Reynolds, his oldest daughter, said the couple travelled extensively with the church choir and helped coordinate a conference featuring Billy Graham, world renowned evangelist, in the Netherlands.

 

Summer home in the mountains

While accompanying a family friend to Ashe County, the Winters fell in love with the area and soon had the notion to purchase a summer home just north of Glendale Springs as a base for their globe trotting habits.

He said he would have felt remiss if his children and grandchildren had not gotten the opportunity to enjoy a taste of Appalachia through the vacation style home.

“Even when we were younger, we (the family) always travelled a lot,” said Powell. “We probably saw every rock formation there was to see in Ohio.”