WALTER SIMON

Worshipful Brother  WALTER F. SIMON,  Grand Chaplain Emeritus  
Worshipful Brother Walter F. Simon, Grand Chaplain Emeritus, ascended to the Celestial Lodge Above on Monday, August 16, 2021. He was 86 years old.Born in Washington, DC, he was a life-long resident of the area. After graduating Coolidge High School and George Washington University with a Bachelor of Science and a master's degree, he served a short term in the Army before taking a position as a Bailiff in the Federal Court system. After retirement from the court, he continued working part-time for Danzansky Funeral Home.Worshipful Brother Simon was an active member of the Grand Lodge of D.C. for over 45 years. He was initiated, passed, and raised in Samuel Gompers-Benjamin Franklin Lodge No. 45 in 1976, where he served as Master in 1982. He later affiliated with Hiram-Takoma Lodge No. 10 and received honorary memberships in La Fayette-Dupont Lodge No. 19 and Arminius Lodge No. 25. He was awarded the Grand Lodge's highest honor, the Distinguished Service Award, in 2001.Walter was also very active in the "appendant bodies" of Masonry. He was a member of Mt. Pleasant Chapter 13, Royal Arch Masons; Universal Chapter No. 70, Knight Masons, USA; a Past Patron and Treasurer of Naomi Chapter No. 3, International Order of the Eastern Star; Past Chairman of the State Executive Board of The Grand Assembly of Maryland and Advisory Board Chairman for Montgomery Assembly No .11, International Order of the Rainbow for Girls; and, a 33�� Scottish Rite Mason in the Valley of Washington, Orient of the District of Columbia. However, he was most well-known in Masonic circles for his work with the Almas Shriners where, amongst other offices he held, he was famously known as "Weird Wally" while serving as Chaplain and Director of the Shriner "Klowns."Walter is preceded in death by his wife, Adele, and their three children, Michael, Brian, and Sharon. He is survived by his companion Bonita Foreman, five grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren. Services were held at Judean Memorial Gardens Chapel on August 19.