The Rotary Club of Jamestown presented William K. Larson with an Honorary Membership after 67 years in the Club.
Honorary Membership is awarded to members who have distinguished themselves by meritorious service in the furtherance of Rotary ideals and it is the highest distinction a club may bestow.
Larson joined the Club in 1955 and served as its President in 1980-81. He graduated from Jamestown High School in 1944 and enlisted in the US Navy, serving during WWII from 1944-1946 aboard the USS San Jacinto, an aircraft carrier CVL30-Pacific Theater, receiving an Honorable Discharge.
He attended Pratt Institute in Brooklyn, NY, majoring in Advertising Design, graduating in 1950. In 1949 he married Carol Quist and they have been happily together for 73 years. They are the proud parents of four children – Sandra Calalesina, Marsha Forsberg, Richard Larson, and Karen Coccagnia, all living in this area. The family also includes 10 grandchildren and 5 great grandchildren.
Bill was employed in the Art Department at Dahlstrom Metallic Door Co., then Morse Engraving Co., and Erie Engraving Co. He then joined with Terry Jonethis to form the firm Jonethis/Larson Advertising and eventually when Terry retired, he formed William K. Larson Advertising. Bill retired in 1991.
The Larsons were first long-time members of Epworth Christ United Methodist Church and then Christ First United Methodist Church, where he has sung in the choir for 72 years.
A man of many talents, Larson belonged to the Jamestown Harmony Express Barbershop Chorus and the Silvertones Barbershop Octet. He has been a faithful 50 plus year member of the YMCA and its Board, a member of Lodge 65-Independent Order of the Vikings, and the American Legion. His hobbies include golf, and he is a very talented watercolorist.
Current Rotary President John Healy said, “It is difficult to express the true nature of one man’s contributions. Simply listing all of them would not give the essence of the deep underlying sense of commitment to Rotary and community that Bill has demonstrated for 67 years.”
Some of Larson’s Rotary highlights include:
· Being a dedicated Rotarian for the past 67 years. He is the longest serving member of the Rotary Club of Jamestown, NY.
· Served with Charter Member (Henri Hall) and with between 900 and 1,000 members of the local Rotary Club, well over a majority of everyone who has ever been a part of the club and probably close to 75% of all Jamestown Rotary members.
· Past president in 1980-1981.
· He designed and produced the I Love Chautauqua game, which netted over $25,000 for the local Rotary Club’s service projects.
· A recipient of multiple Paul Harris Fellow Awards (1985 & 2014).
· A devoted member of the club service, membership, and golf committees – creating the golf tournament’s sponsorship signs by hand for 27 years. Bill has also created and updated the club’s name badges and for many years made those by hand.
· Bill still attends Monday Rotary meetings by Zoom.
· Served with Charter Member (Henri Hall) and with between 900 and 1,000 members of the local Rotary Club, well over a majority of everyone who has ever been a part of the club and probably close to 75% of all Jamestown Rotary members.
· Past president in 1980-1981.
· He designed and produced the I Love Chautauqua game, which netted over $25,000 for the local Rotary Club’s service projects.
· A recipient of multiple Paul Harris Fellow Awards (1985 & 2014).
· A devoted member of the club service, membership, and golf committees – creating the golf tournament’s sponsorship signs by hand for 27 years. Bill has also created and updated the club’s name badges and for many years made those by hand.
· Bill still attends Monday Rotary meetings by Zoom.
President John Healy honored Bill Larson with Honorary Member status.
One of Rotary International’s official mottos is “Service Above Self.” Larson has been actively committed to service since 1955. For 67 years, he has provided great service, fellowship, leadership, and participation in the achievements of the Rotary Club of Jamestown, setting an amazing example of Service Above Self – one that the members will never forget and that serves as a wonderful example to all.
Healy went on to note, “Rotary has been very much a part of Larson’s life. His family and the community remember the values by which he has lived. The motto ‘Service Above Self’ is his motto, one that he has carried out every day of his life. Larson has given his time, talents, and gifts in service to our country, community, his church, family, and this Rotary Club. Thank you does not adequately express the gratitude that we have for his service and commitment.”
Healy closed by stating, “It is a pleasure to have been in the club with you and we are proud to have you as a member. We in Rotary are honored to be able to show our respect and admiration to you with this honorary membership. William Larson, on behalf of the 87 current members of the Club and the 1,000 former members you have served with for the past 67 years, we thank you.”
Bill Larson’s wife Carol and their fours children and their spouses were on hand to celebrate Bill!