Thanksgiving service for Royal Black leader attended by cross-community congregation
POLITICIANS from both sides of the community have attended a service of thanksgiving for the former Sovereign Grand Master of the Royal Black Institution.
William (Billy) Logan passed away last Thursday at the age of 86 following a short illness.
Hundreds of mourners packed St Anne’s Cathedral in Belfast yesterday to pay their final respects.
They included DUP leader Arlene Foster, former SDLP MLA Alban Maginness, and former Ulster Unionist
MLA Danny Kennedy.
The congregation heard Rev Campbell Dixon from St Mark’s Parish in Ballysillan, north Belfast, describe Mr Logan (inset) as a man of leadership and compassion.
“We all will miss Billy, we mourn his passing and we will miss his presence amongst us in very many ways,” Rev Dixon said.
He added: “But at the same time we celebrate what he has achieved and what he stood for; we celebrate a life well lived — a life marked by service, dedication and commitment in all his interests, and for the difference he has made in his community.
“And we celebrate the legacy he has left in regard to his family, the love shown and example given.”
Mr Logan was chairman of the Belfast Boys’ Model School Board of Governors and, in 1997, was awarded an MBE for services to education.
But he was best known for his senior role with the Royal Black Institution, which he led for two decades.
Rev Dixon added: “Billy’s association with loyal orders started when, at seven years of age, he joined the Junior Orange Order and then the full Orange Order when he was 17, before progressing to the Royal Black Institution at 21 years of age.
“Billy, as we know, progressed through the ranks of office within the Institution, forming many friendships over the years, not only here in Northern Ireland but across the world as well.
“He was very proud of his friendship with Lord Jim Molyneaux, whom he succeeded as the Sovereign Grand Master in 1998 until 2008.”
Rev Dixon recalled how Mr Logan responded to the sudden death of Tyrone GAA player Cormac McAnallen by sending a sincere letter of condolence to his family.
He added: “I recall saying to him one Sunday morning last year that his name had appeared on the front page of the Irish News during the week and the reason behind it.
“He was astounded that such a simple gesture, a sincere letter of condolence, as he saw it, should have such a profound ef- fect on the McAnallen family and he was genuinely deeply, deeply humbled by the remarks made by Cormac’s brother Donal in his book The Pursuit of Perfection, which Robin (his son) subsequently bought for him.”
Rev Dixon also described how a charity set up to mark the Queen’s Golden Jubilee in 2002 has raised £700,000 for good causes.
Mr Logan is survived by his wife Dorothy and their sons Ian, Colin and Robin.
The service was followed by interment in Islandmagee New Cemetery.