Famous Tall Cedar
William J. Ryland

Bro. William J. Ryland, 32°, Elected National President, National Sojourners, Inc.

Brother William J. Ryland, 32°, Valley of Pasadena, California, was installed as the National President of National Sojourners, Inc., on June 18, 1999, during the 79th Annual Convention of National Sojourners, Inc., held in San Antonio, Texas. Brother Ryland received the M.A. degree from Duquesne University in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, in 1969, and is a graduate of the Army Command and General Staff College and the Industrial College of the Armed Forces.

He earned his commission as a Distinguished Military Graduate from the Auburn University ROTC program in 1960, going on to serve a series of assignments in the United States, Germany, and two tours in Vietnam. After retiring from the U.S. Army as a Lieutenant Colonel, he worked for the U.S. Treasury Department and subsequently retired from the Civil Service.

His Masonic career has been extensive and continues since his raising as a Master Mason in 1965. In the Blue Lodge, Bro. Ryland has served in most offices. He expects to be Master of Rosemead Lodge No. 457, Rosemead, California, in 2001 and presently serves as an officer in the Rose Croix of the Pasadena, California Scottish Rite Bodies. Bro. Ryland is also currently working as a floor officer in each of the three York Rite
Bodies. He was selected for membership in the York Rite College and chosen to be a member of the Allied Masonic Degrees. He joined Temple City High Twelve Club in 1984 and served as President in 1989. Since 1991, he has been the Treasurer of the National Masonic Postal Chess Club. Bro. Ryland is a member of Al Malaikah Shrine Temple in Los Angeles where he is the President of a mini-car parade unit. He is a member of the Royal Order of Scotland, the Robert The Bruce Association, and a member of Temple Forest No. 136 Tall Cedars of Lebanon. Brother Ryland is a Past Associate Bethel Guardian of Bethel No.
143, San Gabriel, California, International Order of Job's Daughters.

Brother Ryland joined National Sojourners in 1970. He is Past President of Arrowhead Chapter No. 421 and Past Commander of Abraham Swartwout Camp, Heroes of '76. He was Regional Representative for Kansas and later for Southern California, East. He has served National Sojourners as Chairman of the National Membership Committee, Chairman of the National Education and Training Committee, was a member of the National Americanism Committee, and was elected at NASOCOCO and to the Committee of 33.