WSC History - Knights of Columbus Washington State Council

Grand Knight 1958-60. He was elected State Advocate 1970-72; State Treasurer 1972-74; StateSecretary 1974-76; State Deputy 1976-78 and served as Immediate PSD from 1978-81 and on theBoard of Columbus Charities.Jim held the offices Comptroller, Pilot, Captain and Navigator of Msgr J E CamermanAssembly (Bremerton) and upon institution of Father Alcuin Lawrence Assembly 2018 in PortAngeles in 1985 became a charter member of that assembly and served as Faithful Navigator.Jim and Ellen had five children - 2 boys and 3 girls - and 11 grandchildren. Jim retired as asales supervisor and branch manager for ITT Continental Baking Co. He was a Eucharistic Minister.Jim often noted that he was among the few State Deputies who served under two SupremeKnights - John McDevitt and Virgil Dechant. He appointed the first State Audit Committee andprinted the first of the Vocations Prayer cards still in use today. It was during his administration thatthe Braille Program was begun with a first gift of $13,751. Jim was responsible for state officerswearing Forest Green jackets. Reports are that he instructed Warden John Klein to purchase agreen blazer from Men’s Warehouse for each of the state officers. Since they were having aclearance sale on that particular blazer, John paid only $17 for each. John, who worked at the StateCapital, was also able to purchase Washington buttons for the coats. The buttons were previous usedon state patrol uniforms. Jim passed away on November 8, 1995 after a valiant battle with lungcancer.WILLIAM F. WITTESTATE DEPUTY 1978DECEASEDWilliam F Witte was born June 18, 1920 in Chicago, Illinois. Hegraduated from high school and Business College with degrees in BusinessAdministration and Accounting. Bill was in the US Army for 6 years in theU.S. and the Pacific, leaving the Army as a Chief Warrant Officer. He thenserved 14 years in the Active Reserve.He joined the Order taking his first three degrees on April 14, 1957 and the Fourth Degreeon February 24, 1962. He was elected Warden 1959-60; Chancellor 1960-61; DGK 1961-62 andGK 1962-63. In the Fourth Degree he was elected F Pilot 1962-63; F Captain 1963-64; F Navigator1964-65. He was appointed District Deputy #2 1970-72 and elected State Advocate 1972-74; StateTreasurer 1974-76; State Secretary 1976-78 and State Deputy 1978. Bill had great plans for his termas State Deputy and was just getting them under way when he died suddenly in September, 1978.He and Jo had 2 sons, 1 daughter and 5 grandchildren at the time of his death. He was aretired Freight Traffic and Material Handling Specialist for the Navy. He was very active in thechurch and community.He had been a CCD teacher and principal for 8 years; an usher and Eucharistic Minister atOur Lady Star of the Sea Church in Bremerton. He belonged also to the Lions; the AmericanLegion; Little League and Babe Ruth League. He had been a coach in Little League and Babe Ruthleagues for 12 years. He was also heavily involved in the Kitsap County Fair and was its chairman atthe time of his deathHARRY J. TUCKER JR.STATE DEPUTY 1978-81DECEASEDHarry J. Tucker Jr was born January 18, 1927 in Des Moines, Iowa.Harry's family moved to Wichita, Kansas while he was young. He spent 3