William Lloyd Mason Sr.

William Lloyd “Bill” Mason Sr. passed away peacefully April 7th after a battle with numerous health issues at the age of 85. Born in West Chester, he was the son of the late Lloyd and Margaret Mason. He is survived by his beloved wife of 63 years of marriage, Nancy and his son, Bill Jr. (Amy). He is also survived by his sister, Patricia Simmons. Bill had many passions in life, among them his family, the U.S. Navy, visiting Ocean City, New Jersey, community service and his beloved Borough of Downingtown. Few people would be worthy of the title “Mr. Downingtown” but Bill certainly was. He graduated from Downingtown High School in 1954. While in High School he was a volunteer junior fireman with the Alert Fire Company. Just a few months after graduation he was off to basic training for the U.S. Navy where he served for three years as a Radarman. He then came home to put down roots in the town and school district he loved. He married Nancy in 1958 and bought a home in Downingtown. In 1967 he began what became over 50 years of service to his community. Bill joined the Downingtown Jaycees, which became a powerhouse service club in the area. He quickly rose to president of the Downingtown chapter and regional Vice President overseeing nine chapters across Chester County. In 1967 he became chairman of organizing the first 4th of July parade in Downingtown in many years. It was a massive parade that also served as the catalyst for the rebirth of the Good Neighbor Day celebration in Kerr Park. He was also one of the organizers of the first ever canoe race down the Brandywine Creek. A tradition that carries on today. Bill was also one of the organizers of the Jaycee Carnival which was held for several years on the grounds of the former St. Joe’s Elementary School. He represented the Downingtown chapter at three national Jaycee Conventions. Bill also continued to chair each years 4th of July Parade. After aging out of the Jaycees, maximum age 36, he was asked to organize Downingtown’s celebration of the nation’s Bi-Centennial in 1976. Bill along with Nany and a handful of residents organized an entire week of events capped off with a large parade and a visit by a Wagon Train procession that camped in Kerr Park the night before heading to Valley Forge for the 4th of July. The Wagon Train participants also put on a Wild West Show in Kerr Park that was attended by thousands of people. This event is still talked about by those in attendance 46 years later. In later years, Bill also chaired parades for the Pennsylvania Tri-Centennial and the Alert Fire Company. Never one to rest, Bill was then invited to join the Downingtown Rotary Club which he served as a member for over 30 years. He also served as President of the local chapter and spearheaded many events. One of my Bill’s true loves is the Downingtown School District. He was involved in the Alumni Association for over 40 years and served as President four times. Bill and a group of dedicated alums brought the organization back to a much more active status with the school district and in organizing events, including (not surprisingly) the Homecoming Parade. Bill didn’t bleed red; he bled Blue and Gold. Bill always had an interest in politics and in 1989 he became a member of Downingtown Borough Council. He was selected by his fellow members to serve as Council President for several years. He did all of this while working at the Downingtown Post Office for over 30 years. He never sought fame or praise or chased after wealth. His reward was a job well done for making his hometown a better place. For many years he would work from 3:30A.M. until 12:30P.M. at the Post Office, take a quick nap and began work on whatever community project lay before him. After retirement from the Post Office in 1991 he began a new chapter working at the Chester County Courthouse in the Protonotary Office and for over a decade as Tipstaff to Court of Common Pleas Judge William Mahon. For his friendly demeanor and knowledge of what was happening in and around the court, some began calling him “the Mayor of the Courthouse.” In 2021, to honor his work to obtain the funding, the reconstructed Chestnut Street Bridge in Downingtown was christened the “Bill Mason” Bridge. A fitting tribute to a life well lived that will be lovingly remembered. He loved regaling people with his many stories of his years in the Navy and looking forward to his next vacation. A visitation for Bill will be held from 5 – 7 pm on Thursday, April 14, 2022 at James J. Terry Funeral Home, 736 E. Lancaster Avenue, Downingtown, PA. A second visitation will be held from 9:30 am until 10:45 am on Friday, April 15, 2022 at the funeral home, followed by a funeral service at 11 am. Interment will be held in Northwood Cemetery. To leave online condolences, please visit www.jamesterryfuneralhome.com