William McKinley Judd was born March 22, 1896, the son of Nelson and Margaret Judd, at Moscow, Clermont County, Ohio. He graduated from Lane Theological Seminary (Baptist). Early in life he was united in marriage to Laurette Frosher to this union two daughters and one son were born. His primary hobby for years has been his famous houseboat, “The Three Bills.”
MWB Judd was elected to Anderson Township Board of Education (later known as Forest Hills School District) in 1927. Served 40 years, the last 25 of which were as President. Served 8 years on the Hamilton County Board of Education. Elected to Ohio State Board of Education in 1966 and served for many years. Received an Honorary Doctor of Public Service Degree from Rio Grande Community College in 1977.
He was a member of Anderson Hills Community United Methodist Church for 50 years. Past Board Member (25 years) and Chairman of Building Committee. Past Lay Delegate (several times) to the Methodist Annual Conference, and once elected Lay Delegate to the Ohio Conference of the Methodist Church. Past Trustee of the Methodist Church property in the Wilmington District of the Ohio Conference. Past Treasurer of the National Grand Chapter of Kappa Sigma Pi (Christian Fraternal Order for Boys).
William M. Judd was initiated in Yeatman Lodge No. 162, F. & A. M. at Cincinnati, Ohio, June 2, 1922. He was passed to the degree of Fellow Craft July 14, 1922 and raised to the sublime degree of Master Mason August 18, 1922. He served his Lodge as Worshipful Master in 1928.
He received the degrees in Delta Chapter No. 179, R. A. M. in October 1922; In Cincinnati Council No.1, R. & S. M. in May 1923; in Hanselmann Commandery No. 16, Cincinnati, Ohio in December 1923.
He received the Scottish Rite degrees in November 1945; and served as Most Wise Master of Cincinnati Chapter of Rose Croix. He received the 33rd degree in Scottish Rite Masonry in New York City, September 24, 1952. He is a member of Syrian Temple, A.A.O.N.M.S.; Oola Khan Grotto; St. Columbia Conclave No. 82, Knights of the Red Cross of Constantine; Violet Chapter No. 45, Order of the Eastern Star.
In the Grand Lodge, he was appointed District Deputy Grand Master 1937-1942 inclusive; also 1945-1946. He was appointed Grand Marshal in October, 1946, followed by Grand Orator, October, 1947; and then elected Junior Grand Warden, October, 1948; Senior Grand Warden, October, 1949, Deputy Grand Master, October, 1950. He was elected and installed Grand Master on October 18, 1950 in Columbus, Ohio. Yeatman Lodge No. 162 presented him his fifty-year service award on his birthday March 22, 1972. He has served on many important committees during his long service to The Grand Lodge, being chairman of the Charters and Dispensations Committee at the time of his passing.
For many years he was President of Judd Motors Inc. Past President of the Cincinnati Auto Dealers Association. Past President of the Hyde Park Lions Club. Past Regional Governor of Lionism in the State of Ohio. Present Board Member of the Christ Hospital. Present member of the Executive Committee on the Board of Directors of the Methodist Home in College Hill. He served on the Board of Directors of the Mt. Lookout Saving and Loan Company approximately 25 years, and has served as President from 1965 until his recent retirement. In 1973 he received the Governor’s Award for Community Action. In 1975, M. W. Brother Judd was honored by being named as Anderson Township’s Most Distinguished citizen.
Masonic Services were held on September 8, 1980. Religious services were held September 9, 1980 at the Anderson Hills Community Methodist Church, Cincinnati, Ohio, with interment at Mt. Moriah cemetery.