Masonic Biography

Chief Bear Who Walks Softly comes from a long line of Masons, in 1980  he was initiated, passed and raised into Seagoville #654  and started his Masonic carrier.

Seagovill  # 654, Endowed     Tannehill #52, Endowed       Highland Park #1150, Endowed    Seagoville chapter #419, Endowed       Seagoville  council #397, Endowed       A.C. Garrett Commandry #103

Scottish Rite Valley of Dallas, Endowed    Texas Lodge of Research,  Endowed       Rose of Sharon  Council #49          1990 Became a member of Tolerancia #23, Reynosa,  Mexico

Chief Bear served Tannehill #52 A.F.&A.M.as the Marshal, Senior Warden and Master. In 2009 Chief Bear was elected to a second term as Master, this was the first time a Master has been elected to consecutive terms at Tannehill since 1880. Chief Bear currently serves Tannehill as the Chairman of the Lodge Oversight Committee.

Chief Bear was born in Lampasas, Texas June 18, 1947, the oldest of seven children. At the time of his birth it was federal law that he have a “Government Name”, so he was given an additional name of William Murrell Fry Jr. In 1988 the Native American Civil Rights Act allowed Chief Bear to use his Cherokee name. He married Wanda Ivey in 1970 they have seven children nine Grandchildren and four Great Grand children as of 2010. Chief Bear entered the US Navy in 1964,he was a Gunners Mate Gunner serving in San Diego, Hawaii and Vietnam (1967-1968). He served in the US Navy reserves until 1974 then  transferred to the US Army National Guard where he served as a combat medic until 1983.Chief Bear received several awards, accommodations, promotions and three Honorable Discharges. Chief Bear serves as a LtCol. Commanding  3rd. Division, Texas Civil Defense. Chief Bear served 16 yeas as Chief Justice for the Sovereign Cherokee Nation Tejas (Texas Cherokee), 5 years as Principal Chief and 3 years as interim Principal Chief. He currently serves as Chief Marshal for the SCNT.