Meet the Grand Master 2024 – Bill Carter
William M. Carter, III
Grand Master, Grand Lodge of Ohio F&AM
Bill Carter was born in Pontiac, Michigan to Dee Ann and William M. Carter, Jr. His maternal grandfather was a life-member of Cedar Lodge #60 under the Grand Lodge of Michigan, and his great grandfather and great grandmother were active in both The Order of Eastern Star and The Shrine in Michigan. Bill resided in various cities throughout his school years as his father’s management position for General Motors opened opportunities throughout the United States.
Eventually settling in the Cleveland Ohio area in the mid-1980s, Bill attended High School in Brunswick Ohio, graduating as a National Merit Scholar and a member of the National Honors Society. His undergraduate work was undertaken as an Honors College student at The Ohio State University, after which he entered the Information Technology field as a System Administrator for a large Columbus-based financial institution. During his 30-year career he has held engineering and C-level management positions at large corporations such as Hewlett Packard, IBM, Dell Technologies, and Palo Alto Networks. Bill holds a Master’s Degree in Cybersecurity and Information Assurance.
In 1998 he married his 14-year pen pal and longtime sweetheart Zoë, who had immigrated from England and was later sworn in as a citizen of the United States. Their daughter Rachael is completing her Bachelor’s Degree in Environmental Science. Bill enjoys motorcycling, physical fitness, hiking, camping, shooting sports, and the pleasure of a good cigar with his Brethren.
Most Worshipful Brother Carter was raised and is an Endowed Member in Dover Lodge #489 in the “Tremendous” 22nd District, serving his Lodge as Worshipful Master in 2011, 2012, and 2015. He is also an endowed member of Paramuthia #25, a member of Gibson #301, and an honorary member of several Lodges throughout the State of Ohio. Bill was named Grand Representative to the Grand Lodge of Israel in 2019.
Other Masonic affiliations include the Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite Valleys of Cleveland OH, The Firelands OH, and Phoenix AZ. York Rite affiliations include Mount Olive Chapter #189 and Cunningham Chapter #187 RAM, Lakewood Council #125 RSM, Holy Grail Commandery #70 KT, Clarence E. O’Neal Council #53 AMD, and York Rite College #13. MWB Carter is also a member of Al Koran Shrine, Ellbrook Chapter #408 OES, National Sojourners Cleveland, and rides with the Overseers Widows Sons.
MWB Carter served the Grand Lodge of Ohio as District Education Officer from 2014-2016, and as District Deputy Grand Master from 2016-2017. He was appointed in 2017 by MWB Eric R. Schau as Junior Grand Deacon of the Grand Lodge of Ohio and has subsequently been appointed as Senior Grand Deacon, Grand Marshal, and Grand Orator. In 2021 he was elected Junior Grand Warden, Senior Grand Warden in 2022, and Deputy Grand Master in 2023. Most Worshipful Brother Carter was elected and installed as Grand Master on October 18, 2024 in Dayton, Ohio.