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Investing in the Future
Donor Profile: Billy Joe Hildreth, 33°
Earl E. Ihle, 33°, Grand Cross, Director of Developement
Barbara G. Golden, Esq., Director of Planned Giving
As farmers plant seeds and harvest their crops, Billy Joe Hildreth has planted many seeds throughout his life to help Masonry and future generations.
Brother Billy Joe Hildreth was born in 1935 in Ankeny, Iowa, the youngest of the four children of Glen and Cleo Hildreth. His childhood instilled in him the value of work: he did chores, farm work, corn shelling, and trucking operations to help his dad and brothers. Billy Joe was active in youth groups of the Ankeny Church of the Brethren, he was a Sunday school teacher, and he graduated from Ankeny High School in 1954. He was active as a member of 4-H and FFA, receiving the Iowa Farmer Degree, later serving as a 4-H leader and receiving the 4-H leadership award. Bro. Hildreth received a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from McPherson College in 1958 and attended graduate school at Drake University, receiving a teacher’s certificate in Business Administration in 1959.
Billy Joe farmed with his parents until their retirement when he assumed ownership of the family farm, which has been in the family for over 125 years and is recognized as a “Century Farm.” The Oliver Row Crop 88 tractor in Brother Hildreth’s portrait is the tractor his dad bought new in 1954 and which Billy Joe still has. As an Iowa farmer, he has seen good and bad times and has learned to survive while maintaining honesty and integrity. Billy Joe served 17 years on the Polk County Farm Bureau Board, taught for a while, drove a bus for 12 years, and then joined the United Postal Service, retiring after 41 years. During this entire time, he also managed the farm and its livestock. The Hildreth family raised cattle and purebred Dorset sheep, showing them all across the nation and winning many state and national awards.
Billy Joe and Darlene Ackelson married in 1968, and they have one son, Bryce. The family lived in the same farmhouse that Billy Joe’s grandfather did, but recently they built a new home across the driveway from the old house. When they were married, Billy Joe and Darlene lived five miles from town. Now, with all the development in the area, they are part of the city of Ankeny. With the city’s growth, new developments have sprung up everywhere. Gradually their farm was surrounded, and Billy Joe and Darlene realized that you cannot stop progress. Three golf courses have been built within two miles of the family’s century farm, and one is adjacent to it.
After reading about Charitable Remainder Trusts in the Scottish Rite Journal, speaking with Ill. Earl E. Ihle, Jr., 33°, Grand Cross, and Ill. Gary Sissel, 33°, SGIG in Iowa, Billy Joe and Darlene decided to transfer a portion of their farm to a charitable remainder trust to benefit the many organizations that mean so much to them: • the Scottish Rite Foundation, S.J. USA, Inc.’s RiteCare Childhood Language Program; • the Iowa Scottish Rite Foundation; • the Grand Lodge of Iowa Library and Museums; • the Knights Templar Eye Foundation; • their church and other charities. The trust provides them both charitable and tax advantages. Billy Joe and Darlene have always thought it important to support charitable activities and believe this trust is an excellent way to leave a legacy.
Brother Billy Joe’s time is mostly spent attending Masonic functions. He has served twice as Worshipful Master of Logic Lodge No. 636, 1976 & 1995, and was treasurer for 20 years. He is a Past High Priest of Corinthian Chapter No. 14, RAM, 1980, and past Grand Chaplain of the Grand Chapter of Iowa, RAM. A Past Illustrious Master of Alpha Council No.1, R&SM, 1980, he served Temple Commandery No. 4, KT, as Eminent Commander in 1983, and was Grand Commander of the Grand Commandery of Iowa, KT, in 2000. He is a Knight Commander of the Temple from the Grand Encampment, KT, and a member of the Grand Master’s Club of the Knights Templar Eye Foundation.
A member of Za Ga Zig Shrine, he is past president of the DeMolay Knights Club, past president of the Past Masters Club, and has been a member of the ritualistic staff for more than 20 years. He is a Past Sovereign of St. Bartholomew Conclave, Red Cross of Constantine, wearing its lapel pin in his portrait, Past Prior of the KYCH, Past Master of Iowa Research Lodge, a member of Iowa York Rite College, and a member of the Royal Order of Scotland.
In the Scottish Rite Billy Joe has been Chairman of the Dinning Room Committee for over 20 years. He is an active ritualist, taking parts in several degrees and received the Loring Parker Award for outstanding ritual. Brother Billy Joe was invested a KCCH in 1981 and coroneted a 33° Inspector General Honorary in 1995. He also is a Heritage Society member of the Iowa Scottish Rite Masonic Foundation.
As farmers plant seeds and harvest their crops, Billy Joe Hildreth has planted many seeds throughout his life to help Masonry and future generations. We thank him for his generosity and his lifelong support of Freemasonry.
Please Note: This information is distributed with the understanding that the authors are not engaged in rendering legal, accounting, or other professional service. If legal advice or other expertise is required, the services of a competent professional should be sought. From: A Declaration of Principles jointly adopted by a Committee of the American Bar Association and a Committee of Publishers.
*For more about how you can help the rite, please see the "Make a Gift Link" above.*
The Development Team
Barbara G. Golden, Esq., is the team's Director of Planned Giving. Barbara is an attorney with experience in tax, corporate, and commercial real estate law. She managed a non-profit legal services organization for several years and has extensive experience in fund-raising, grant writing, and program operations. Contacts: Tel. 202-777-3163; Fax 202-884-0183; or call 1-866-GIVESRF (448-3773) Toll Free; bgolden@scottishrite.org.
Earl E. Ihle, Jr., 33°, GC, is the team's Director of Development. He has been a member of the Fraternity for 30 years and served in 1978 as Master of Lafayette Lodge, #111, Baltimore, Maryland. He is also a member of Boumi Shrine Temple in Baltimore, the York Rite, and a dual member of the Scottish Rite Valleys of Baltimore and Washington, D.C. Contacts: Tel. 202-777-3143; Fax 202-884-0183; or call 1-866-RITECARE (748-3227) Toll Free; eihle@scottishrite.org.
Dr. Thomas M. Boles, GC, is the team's Advisor on Philanthropies. A member of the Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Santa Ana Valleys, he has worked extensively in fund-raising for children's programs throughout our Fraternity. Contacts: Tel. 562-691-4227; Fax 562-691-5327; or call 1-800-SRMASON (776-2766) Toll Free; tboles@scottishrite.org.
