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      • Ashlar and Cabul Lodges Visit Pineland Lodge
      • Three New Master Masons Receive Their Aprons
      • Ashlar Lodge Honors First Responders
      • Ashlar Lodge Welcomes Newest Master Masons
      • Ashlar Lodge Honors Their Widows with Annual Sweetheart Luncheon
      • W. Jim Carrick and RW Oscar Patterson Receive Perfect Attendance Awards
      • Ashlar Visits Cabul
      • W Jim Carrick Presents Bro Justin Buxton With His Apron
      • W Jim Carrick Presents Masons of the Year Awards
      • Ashlar Lodge Supports Horse Play
      • W. Maultsby and Bro. Carrick Earn Gold Cards
      • Newest Master Masons - 2019
      • New Lodge Parking Lot Layout
      • The Traveling CunningHammer
      • Dan Holiday's 60th Anniversary
      • Honoring Boy Scout
      • Installation of Officers - 2018
      • Honoring Law Enforcement Officers
      • Annual Pilgrimage to Pineland Lodge - Ashlar Lodge No. 98 F. & A.M.
      • Flag presented to the Florida School for The Deaf and the Blind by Ashlar Lodge No. 98 F. & A.M.
      • Ashlar Lodge No. 98 Recognizes Past Master and Senior Members
      • Ashlar Lodge No. 98 Free and Accepted Masons Present Scholarships to Five St. Johns County Students
      • Recognizing Outstanding Educators
      • Rainbow Girls Initiate Randilicious
      • Bozards New Family Member
      • JROTC Recognition
      • Rainbow Girls Share Work
      • Visit Ribault Lodge No 272
      • Sweetheart Luncheon
      • Outstanding Explorers
      • Installation of Officers - 2017
      • INTERPRETING MASONIC RITUAL
      • Honoring First Responders and an Outstanding Teacher
      • Billy Tatel Turns 100
      • Honoring First Responders
      • Visit to Lodge in Jamaica
      • Outdoor Degree
    • Photos
  • What is Freemasonry?
  • Contact Us & Map
  Welcome to Ashlar Lodge No. 98 F. & A. M. website. We are located in downtown St. Augustine, FL.

Billy Tatel - 100 Years Young
Honoring Our Oldest Brother and
A World War II Veteran

Picture
August 2016:
​Bro. William Tatel, a 60+ year member of Ashlar Lodge No. 98 and a World War II Veteran who served with Gen. George Patton in North Africa, Sicily, Italy, and Europe and sho is the oldest World War II veteran in St. Johns County as well as possibly the sole surviving member of Patton’s World War II staff celebrated his 100th birthday on August 5, 2016.

A birthday celebration in his honor was held on Sunday, August 7, at Ashlar Lodge No. 98. More than 80 family members, friends, and Lodge members attended. Tatel received greetings not only from those in attendance, but also from President Obama, Governor Scott, Senator Nelson, and other officials in recognition of his longevity and military service.

Bro. Tatel served with the 7th Army Western Task Force for three years and participated in the invasions of North Africa, Sicily, Rome-Arno, and Southern France. He also participated in the Rhineland Campaign. He received the Purple Heart and other military awards.

Bro. Bill graduated from college in 1938 and was drafted early in 1941. After initial training, he attended Officer’s Candidate school and received a commission in the Transportation Corps. Upon graduation, 2nd LT Tatel was entitled to a 10-day leave, but instead received embarkation orders and left for North Africa. At about 100 pounds and loaded with a backpack and Thompson sub machine gun, he waded through the African surf eventually camping in Casablanca.

His first assignment in Africa was to carry messages for Patton’s army regarding troop movements. When Patton arrived in Palermo Sicily, Tatel was order to “open the streets and department stores.” Working with just a few men, trucks, and local residents, he accomplished the mission in five days highlighted by the reopening of the famed Palermo Opera House. A plaque dedicated to Tatel is located on the wall at the opera house.
​
Bro. Bill is married to his childhood sweetheart, Phyllis. They lived across the street from each other as children and have been together for more than 90 years. Bill and Phyllis Intended to marry immediately after he completed OCS, but the war intervened. They finally on VE Day in 1945. They have been married 71 years.

Bro. Bill was honorably discharged from the U.S. Army as a Captain, a rank he attained as the result of promotion awarded by Gen. Patton.
Picture

Location

4 M L King Ave, St. Augustine, FL 32084
Founded in 1888, Ashlar Lodge No. 98 is part of a long history of Freemasonry in St. Augustine, FL.

We have our regularly scheduled Stated Communications on the First and Third Thursday of each month.  Dinner starts at 6:30pm and the meeting starts at 7:30pm.  

Click here for a link to the Ashlar Lodge Calendar.

Click here for a link to the Elite 11th District's Calendar.

Click here for the Elite 11th District's website.

Click here for a link to the Elite 11th District's Lodge Locations.

Contact Us

  • Home
  • Our Lodge
    • Our Officers
    • Our History >
      • Past Masters of Ashlar Lodge No. 98 F & A M
      • History of Freemasonry in St. Augustine
      • The Monumento De La Constitucion
      • History of Freemasonry in Florida
    • When Do We Meet?
    • How Do I Join?
    • Calendar of Events
    • Trestleboard
    • News >
      • Ashlar and Cabul Lodges Visit Pineland Lodge
      • Three New Master Masons Receive Their Aprons
      • Ashlar Lodge Honors First Responders
      • Ashlar Lodge Welcomes Newest Master Masons
      • Ashlar Lodge Honors Their Widows with Annual Sweetheart Luncheon
      • W. Jim Carrick and RW Oscar Patterson Receive Perfect Attendance Awards
      • Ashlar Visits Cabul
      • W Jim Carrick Presents Bro Justin Buxton With His Apron
      • W Jim Carrick Presents Masons of the Year Awards
      • Ashlar Lodge Supports Horse Play
      • W. Maultsby and Bro. Carrick Earn Gold Cards
      • Newest Master Masons - 2019
      • New Lodge Parking Lot Layout
      • The Traveling CunningHammer
      • Dan Holiday's 60th Anniversary
      • Honoring Boy Scout
      • Installation of Officers - 2018
      • Honoring Law Enforcement Officers
      • Annual Pilgrimage to Pineland Lodge - Ashlar Lodge No. 98 F. & A.M.
      • Flag presented to the Florida School for The Deaf and the Blind by Ashlar Lodge No. 98 F. & A.M.
      • Ashlar Lodge No. 98 Recognizes Past Master and Senior Members
      • Ashlar Lodge No. 98 Free and Accepted Masons Present Scholarships to Five St. Johns County Students
      • Recognizing Outstanding Educators
      • Rainbow Girls Initiate Randilicious
      • Bozards New Family Member
      • JROTC Recognition
      • Rainbow Girls Share Work
      • Visit Ribault Lodge No 272
      • Sweetheart Luncheon
      • Outstanding Explorers
      • Installation of Officers - 2017
      • INTERPRETING MASONIC RITUAL
      • Honoring First Responders and an Outstanding Teacher
      • Billy Tatel Turns 100
      • Honoring First Responders
      • Visit to Lodge in Jamaica
      • Outdoor Degree
    • Photos
  • What is Freemasonry?
  • Contact Us & Map