The Hourglass Lodge #113 Free and Accepted Masons Prince Hall Affiliated presented its Arthur Simpson Memorial Scholarship to Marcus Williams last week.
Williams, who is a 2011 Long County High School graduate, received a $500 check.
“When Marcus was in high school, he had a job and worked,” Past Master Edwin Thompson said. “Not a lot of kids do that anymore. His character also stood out. Whenever we were looking for someone to present this scholarship to, his name always popped up.”
“I am very happy to receive this scholarship and plan on using it either at Georgia Military College or possibly in the Army,” Williams said. “I am glad to meet all of the brothers from the chapter, and I am very appreciative to the lodge.”
His mother, Donna, said she is very proud of him.
“This is the second award that he has received,” she said. “He also received a history award for leadership and was the first black to ever earn that.”
According to Thompson, the scholarship was created this year in honor of the late Past Master Arthur Simpson, who died in 2006. He said the lodge plans to award the scholarship annually.    
“Arthur Simpson was a leader in the lodge with almost 30 years of service,” Thompson said.
“You could always count on him when you needed help. He loved kids and always encouraged and supported them, both in their lives and in their academics.”
Members of the lodge at the presentation included Hubert Anderson, James Gibbons, Russell Thompson, Jervis Taylor, A.D. Montgomery, Carl Bacon, Tyrone Fair, Anthony Mangler, Edward Russell, Edwin Thompson and Ray Pack Sr.