William Lee Mason

On Thursday – June 15, 1944; the oldest and only child for 8 years was born in Ashland, Mississippi to Thad & Mattie C. Mason – he was named William Lee . He was affectionately known and called by the nickname “Tootie” that was given to him by one of his aunts - (Aunt May) along with another nickname “Oodles” given to him by his younger brothers. However, in the corporate world/workforce he was called “Bill” . He also had his share of dishing out some nicknames to a lot of his family.

William lived in Mississippi until 1948 then his Parents decided to relocate to Osawatomie, Kansas where they remained and added six more children to the Mason bunch - 3 boys & 3 girls before moving to Kansas City, Missouri in November 1964. William remained in Osawatomie until early 1967. His parents, one brother, one sister and one grandson preceded him in death.

William graduated from Osawatomie High School in 1962, setting the stage for a life defined by hard work and perseverance. He was extremely intelligent in all academics but especially in Math, English and History. He participated in various school activities such as the Swim team, Football team and a Home Economics (cooking class) just to name a few. He continued to exemplify a strong work ethic and independent spirit.

A couple of TRUE and FUNNY facts: Once as a small child, he mastered eating fried fish that had a lot of bones (with no bread) in the back seat of his parent’s car in the dark WITHOUT getting a bone caught in his throat! William ended up in that cooking class because at a football game he was tackled and his Mother wasn’t going for that, in her words “those big country corn fed boys ain’t going to be tackling MY son!” During that game she marched onto the football field while his Father was yelling from the bleachers “Mattie C., you can’t go grabbing the boy off the field!” Needless to say, his time playing football was short lived and from that point on no more school football. William flourished in the cooking class and boy could he cook!

William was an AMAZING swimmer (like a Gold Medal Olympian). There was a time someone bet that he couldn’t swim across a lake in Paola, Kansas – well he wasn’t bet on ever again when it came to swimming or too much of anything else either. William and several of his friends were often found swimming across lakes and rivers all the time.

As time went on William would master pretty much everything he’d put his hands on. He found joy in sharing his passions that included a deep appreciation for classic cars, working on cars, drag racing cars, the cleanest cars, riding motorcycles, hunting/fishing, shooting pool, playing cards (tonk), dice, CB Radio, Hats, Dressing & Music, etc.

William decided to remain living in Osawatomie and work after his parents and the remainder of the Mason Bunch relocated to Kansas City, Missouri. During his short time there he decided to go into the medical field and became “the first and only black male” Psychiatric Aide and worked at the Osawatomie State Hospital.

After leaving the medical field - William went to work as a Machinist with Lakeside Aviation Plant where he remained for several years. He then went on to work in the construction field with Reno Construction Company as a Head/Senior Heavy Equipment Operator. He was part of an abundance of infrastructures (roads, highways, buildings, etc.) throughout Missouri and Kansas.

William decided that he’d go indoors to work and put up his hardhat and steel toed boots for a bit. So, from construction to the Bendix Corporation as a Head Machinist was his next career change. During his tenure there he won and received several monetary prizes and awards for his ideas on how to do things better which resulted in being more cost effective. His ability to tackle challenges head-on and his pride in his work left a lasting impression on colleagues and friends alike. Whether through his involvement in the Masonic Lodge Southgate 101 or his role in the Operating Engineers Local Union 101, William's dedication to his responsibilities and his community never wavered. Oh, and those steel toed boots and hardhat was a temporary thing because he still worked construction from time to time as needed even while working at Bendix until he retired in July 2008.

William had a lot of special ways of saying things that would make you think and have you looking at him like “where in the world did you come up with that from and what does that mean” all while cracking up laughing; but he on the other hand was very serious.

Some things he enjoyed doing after retiring was plenty of chillin’ & relaxing , watching a LOT of sports with football and basketball being his favorite, watching game shows – especially The Price Is Right (don’t call him while that’s on), working word search books, cooking and going to the carwash were just a few. It was the simple things that didn’t take a lot of time nor effort to do is what he enjoyed most and said that he was going to do after retirement IF he wanted to or not – and most of the time it was doing absolutely nothing but chillin’ & relaxing.

Memories of William will forever be cherished, continue to inspire and uplift all who were fortunate enough to share in his life: His Loving, Committed & Devoted Wife of 57 years – Palmer L. Mason (Pam); Daughters – Carmen M. Garth (Dan), Carol A. Mason, only Son – William L. Baker; Siblings – Larry L. Mason, Sr. (Charlotte), Beverly A. Mason, Sarah E. Mason and Gregory C. Mason; a very special Sister/Cousin – Kay Francis Jones; 11 Grandchildren, 20 Great-Grandchildren, 3 Great-Great Grandchildren, a host of cousins, nephews, nieces and acquaintances.