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instilling spiritual and moral values for boys to take with them throughout
their lives. They loved him – not just for what he taught them but for the man
he was, which really taught them the most.
He took that love of service to the Boynton Beach Society in retirement,
where his body had trouble keeping up with his spirit. But he never let anyone
feel sorry for him. At this year’s Boynton Beach Retreat, when Dr. Jim de Maine
was talking about end-of-life issues, Bill joked that this was getting a little close
to home – then guffawed and led the laughter, as he always did.
Beyond the football field, Bill spent his lifetime teaching – in the classroom
and just with his presence.
Bishop Keith said in his memorial service: “It’s not surprising that the
Lord said whoever teaches His ways will be called great in the kingdom of
heaven. There is something incredibly powerful about teaching. There is a zeal
with teachers which carries over into the next world. Swedenborg saw teachers
there in a very high heaven. They had a passion ‘which was almost [their]
entire life.’ (Spiritual Experiences 1643) This zeal actually comes from the Lord
and is that perfect combination of the Lord inspiring a love, and the teacher
embracing it and sharing it with students.”
And that was Billy T.
•
F. Mason Adams – Mace – was something of an anomaly.
For 34 years he represented law and order in Bryn Athyn
– as a policeman and then chief of police. And he was the
funniest man in town.
There was more laughter during the Rev. Jeremy Simons’
memorial address than I have ever heard in the Cathedral –
and it was entirely appropriate.
Mace always had a joke and a laugh for everyone – right
up to the end of 83 happy years. But there was so much more
to him than an endearing sense of humor. He took his police work seriously –
keeping the community safe and young people (especially) out of trouble. But
keeping things light kept everything better.
His greatest impact as the teacher behind the badge was with young
people, who needed both a firm hand and a soft touch. He was incredibly wise
in dealing with them, caring and kind and compassionate, but firm when he
needed to be – and they all loved him.
But everyone loved Mace. He had graduated from neighboring Lower
Moreland High School with, Jeremy noted, “a solid reputation for both humor
and industriousness.” Those qualities would serve him well – and all the rest
of us – all his life.
After serving in the military police with the U.S. Air Force he joined the
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