The Machinists Union lost a long-time activist, friend and retired Grand Lodge Representative (GLR) Bill Lopez this week. Brother Lopez was initiated into Local Lodge 727 in California in 1942 and was an active member in several other lodges until transferring to Local Lodge 1186 in November of 1964.
GLR Lopez served as a Business Representative for District Lodge 94 (now District 947) from July 5, 1964, to February 28, 1980. He was selected as a Grand Lodge Special Representative for what was then the Southwest Territory on March 1, 1980, and advanced to Grand Lodge Representative on September 1, 1981. GLR Lopez retired February 1, 1989, and was an IAM member for over 50 years.
“Bill was a good friend and mentor to many past and present IAM representatives,” said Western Territory General Vice President Lee Pearson. “The results of Bill’s good work can be seen in the faces of active and retired IAM members who are enjoying good wages, benefits or a decent retirement. We have truly lost one of the IAM’s great leaders.”
A service will be held at 9:00 a.m., Wednesday, November 21, 2007, at St. John Vianney Catholic Church, 1345 Turnbull Canyon Road, Hacienda Heights, CA, 91745. Remembrances may be made to Guide Dogs of America, http://www.guidedogsofamerica.org/.
