Mr. Charles William McMaster Jr.

Charles William “Chuck” McMaster died peacefully on August 22 at the Collins State Veteran’s Home. Visitation will be held on Saturday, August 25, 2018 from 9 am to 11 am at Lakewood Funeral Home with a graveside service to follow at 11 am at Lakewood Memorial Park.

He was born in Clinton, MS on April 28, 1927 to Vivian Hawkins and Charles William McMaster, Sr. He enlisted in the Navy as a youth. After discharge, his love for the sea persisted and he served as engineer in the Merchant Marines until his retirement in 1982. In 1954, he fell “overboard” for a young nurse, Ethel Marie Hamil. They were married on January 25, 1955. Together they joined the Freemasons. Chuck was initiated an Entered Apprentice on August 30, 1974; passed to Fellow Craft on September 24, 1974 and raised a Master Mason on October 27, 1974. All at Leavell Woods Lodge, where he ultimately served as Worshipfull Master. On September 9, 1999 he demitted to Pearl Lodge No. 23 F&A M where he served as Titler for fifteen years. With Scottish Rite he was initiated November 15, 1974, awarded KCCH October 21, 1991 and coroneted a 33 degree Mason on November 15, 2003. He belonged to all three York Rite Bodies and Wahabi Shrine. He joined his wife Marie in the Radiant Chapter of the Eastern Star. Soon, the DeMolay would steal his heart. Serving his God, his country, his family and the youth were all important to him as he served as Executive Officer for the State of Mississippi. He will be forever remembered by his lodge brothers, and those he mentored.

He is survived by his wife of 63 years, Marie; their children, Anna Marie Weed, Lewis Charles McMaster and Patricia Lynn Jones; their grandchildren, William Randall Weed, Christina Marie Weed, Angela Grace Weed and Jessica Danielle Jones Colvert; their great-granddaughters, Wynter Persephone Colvert and Lucy Abigail Beer.