William Ray Mason was born on December 4, 1887 in Morgansville, Kansas, the son of Robert and Nellie G. (Barr) Mason. His family moved to Los Angeles in 1898, where Will completed his schooling. At the age of 18 he went to work for the railroad, where he worked for eleven years in the mail service.
Will Mason married Ara G. Barclay in 1914 in the Ocean Park district within Los Angeles. They had three children, John, Roger and Helen.
In about 1916, Will and Ara Mason moved to Upland where he was a citrus rancher. He was active in a wide variety of community affairs for many years. They lived at 1302 North Euclid in Upland, in a three-story eclectic house originally built by Charles and Cecelia Lawson, to replicate their home in Buenos Aires
Following Ara’s death in 1936, Will married Edith Hanson, who was ‘’Gus’’ Hanson’s daughter, in 1940. Edith grew up at 1060 W. Foothill Blvd, which is now a bank. Will’s father-in-law was instrumental in founding the G.A. Hanson Fruit Company and was one of the movers and shakers of early Upland, serving on the first Upland City Council.
On May 8, 1944, Will Mason, a quiet, fine looking man, was appointed to the board of supervisors, representing the Second Supervisorial District, to fill the vacancy caused by the sudden death of Gene Grier in February 1944. He was elected in 1946 and reelected in 1950, and was succeeded in 1954 by Dan Mikesell. After ten-and-one-half years on the board, Mr. Mason retired to resume citrus ranching, and continued his varied civic activities. He was appointed to the Flood Control District’s Zone 1 Citizen’s Advisory Committee in April 1958, and served until November 1966. He resided in Upland.
Will Mason died in his home at 559 North Euclid Ave on May 8, 1971, at the age of 83. He was survived by his wife, Edith Hanson Mason, two sons, John H. Mason of Upland and Roger I. Mason of Ontario, a daughter Helen (Mrs. Phillip) Juergens of Studio City, a brother, Howard N. Mason of Upland, six grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren, a niece and a nephew.
Mr. Mason was a member of the Upland Planning Commission for many years, a member of the Upland Library Board of Trustees, President of the Upland Rotary Club, a director of the Upland Chamber of Commerce, chairman of the board of trustees of the First Presbyterian Church, chairman of the County Retirement Board, a trustee of the San Antonio Community Hospital, a director of the Ontario Cemetery Association, a director of the Citrus Pest Control Board, a director of the Upland Boys Club, a director of the Joya Mutual Water Company, and after marrying Edith, became an active member of St. Mark’s Episcopal Church, where his father-in-law served on the vestry from its founding in 1910 until his death in 1941.
Will Mason did well for himself and also married well. It was a winning combination.’’