September 5, 2024
The Claude W. and Dolly Ahrens Foundation is proud to posthumously award William “Bill” Mason the 2024 “Leave It Better Than You Found It” award. This prestigious honor, which commemorates the August 18 birthday of the late benefactor Claude Ahrens, recognizes individuals, groups, and organizations that have made significant contributions to improving the community.
Bill Mason, who passed away in December of last year, served as a dedicated employee of the Ahrens Park Foundation for fifteen years. Throughout his career, Mason exemplified the values of the Foundation, making a profound and lasting impact on the Grinnell community. His work in maintaining and enhancing the park and facilities has left a legacy that continues to benefit local residents today.
“Bill Mason embodies the very spirit of this award,” said Julie Gosselink, president and CEO. “Even though he is no longer with us, his spirit lives on through the work he did and the lives he touched. Bill truly lived by the philosophy of leaving the world a better place than he found it.”
Bill’s wife, Sheryl Mason, accepts this award on his behalf. “Bill really loved working at the park. He was so proud of it and when he came home from working he was always happy.”
Born in Clinton, IA, Bill grew up on the family farm and his family eventually moved to Grinnell. Graduating from Grinnell-Newburg High School with the Class of 1962, Bill then served his country in the United States Army. He worked many years in the construction trades and in 1975 started his own roofing business. In 2008, he began work at Ahrens Park providing general maintenance services and was a talented handy man for various projects throughout the fifteen years that he dedicated.
“The staff at Ahrens Park and I feel fortunate to have had the opportunity to work alongside such a dedicated individual,” states Chad Nath, president & CEO of the Ahrens Park Foundation. “Bill is truly deserving of the Leave It Better Than You Found It award. His work ethic and the pride he took in his efforts were exceptional, and he is deeply missed by all who knew him.” A new park bench and flagpole was recently installed in memory of Bill along the north Ahrens Park walking trail and soccer fields by the Ahrens Park Foundation.
The “Leave It Better Than You Found It” award was initiated in August 1994 during the dedication of the Ahrens/Paschall Memorial Park. Inspired by Claude Ahrens’ 1993 speech to the National Recreation and Parks Association, where he challenged attendees to follow his father’s advice to “leave the world a better place than you found it,” the award has since honored more than 300 individuals, groups, and organizations for their contributions to the community.
Bill Mason’s work with the Ahrens Park Foundation exemplifies this philosophy. His efforts have not only improved the quality of life in Grinnell but have also set a standard for others to follow. This posthumous recognition is a fitting tribute to a man who dedicated his life to making a difference.
A quote stated in Bill’s memorial program read “if the only thing anyone could say about him is, he was a hard worker and his word was good, that would be enough.” Indeed it was.
