Brethren,

With much sorrow, I bring you news of the passing to the Grand Lodge Above of W.Bro. Morgan James Walters, PPrJGD (Berks). He was 86 years old when he died in hospital on 30th March 2017.

Morgan, although born and brought up locally in South Wales, spent a large part of his working life at the Atomic Weapons Research Establishment in Aldermaston, Berkshire. He was Initiated in the Padworth Lodge, No 7505 in October 1977. I was very privileged to visit the Lodge, which meets in Aldermaston Parish Hall, some years ago with W.Bro. Morgan and W.Bro. Keith Goddard (who has a similar professional and Masonic lineage to W.Bro. Morgan).

Morgan became Master of Padworth Lodge in May 1993 and was appointed Past Provincial Junior Grand Deacon in the Province of Berkshire in September 1999. He was still a Subscribing Member of his Mother Lodge at the time of his death.

Following retirement, Morgan returned 'home' to live in Pencoed and became a Joining Member of Morganwg Lodge, No 5084 where his colleague W.Bro. Keith Goddard was already a Joining Member and his nephew, W.Bro. John E. Phillips, an Initiate of the Lodge.

Sadly, Morgan's formal sojourn among us in Morganwg lasted only three and a half years between 2002 and 2005, when he resigned on a point of principle - not concerning the Lodge, but due to Bridgend Masonic Hall's early imposition of the Welsh Assembly Government's smoking ban. From this, two things were very evident. 1. Morgan was a man of very firm principles, and; 2. he did enjoy his cigarettes! Informally, however, it was a very different story. For many years after his resignation, Morgan continued to run "Masonic masterclasses" at home which were of great value to the Morganwg members in progression towards, and whilst in, the chair of KS.

Although it is a long time since his ready smile has graced Morganwg Lodge, Morgan's legacy far outweighed that which will appear in the record books. Many Brethren and the Lodge itself are still reaping the rewards. He will be sorely missed.   

Our thoughts and prayers are with his family at this sad time. I understand that he was particularly close to his niece Danielle, and, of course, his nephew W.Bro. John.

Martyn Daley
PM 5084