Biography

Welcome brethren. It is indeed an honor to serve you as Grand Master this year.

DAVID R. PYLE
GRAND MASTER 2024-2025

     Most Worshipful David Ray Pyle was elected and installed as the 152nd Grand Master of
Masons in West Virginia, A.F. & A.M., at the 160th Annual Communication in Charleston, West
Virginia.
Brother Pyle, the fifth of eight children, was born on December 9, 1950 in Waynesburg,
Pennsylvania. The son of the late Orville Glen and Viola Mae (Lahew) Pyle. He was educated
in the public schools in Monongalia and Marion Counties, graduating from East Fairmont High
School in 1968. On April 9, 1971, he married the love of his life, Deborah Ann (Layman) Pyle,
in Mt. Harmony Community Church, Fairmont, West Virginia. They have one son, Joshua Ray
Pyle, daughter in law Bridget Renee Pyle and one granddaughter Kaylin Ray Pyle.
Brother Pyle retired in 1995 from Consolidation Coal Company’s Arkwright Mine #1and he
has also dedicated many years to his local Smithtown Community Center, serving and cooking
at their gatherings.
His Masonic career began in Fairmont Lodge No. 9, Fairmont, West Virginia, when he was
initiated an Entered Apprentice on March 20, 1972, passed to the Fellowcraft degree May 17,
1972 and raised to the sublime degree of Master Mason on June 16, 1972. He began his journey
through the chairs, learning the ritual and was elected Worshipful Master for the first time June
1976. He has served his lodge six times as Worshipful Master and in several other capacities.
Most Worshipful Brother Pyle received his Fifty-Year Masonic Veterans Service Award in June
of 2022.
Ray served as District Deputy Grand Master during the 1987 term of then Grand Master,
Robert G. Slater. In 2003, he was appointed Junior Grand Deacon by then Grand Master Robert
M. Vincent, and in 2009, he was appointed Senior Grand Deacon by then Grand Master Gregory
A. Riley, Sr. Following in 2007, Ray was appointed Deputy Grand Lecturer by M.W. Grand
Lecturer Stephen G. Swank, P.G.M., which he served from that time until his election as Junior
Grand Warden in 2021. He was then elected as Senior Grand Warden in 2022, Deputy Grand
Master in 2023. On October 15, 2024, Brother Pyle was elected and installed Grand Master of
Masons in West Virginia during the Annual Communication in Charleston, West Virginia.
During his Masonic career he has had the privilege of serving on several Grand Lodge
committees: Masonic Jurisprudence, Grievances and Appeals, Masonic Home Day, and currently
serves on the Board of Governors of the Masonic Outreach Program.
He is a Fifty-Year member of the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite, Valley of Clarksburg,
West Virginia. He is a member of Orient Chapter No. 9 and Crusade Commandery No. 6, both
in Fairmont, West Virginia, and Osiris Shrine in Wheeling, West Virginia. MW Pyle has served
as the President of the Upper Mon County Shrine Club as well as receiving the Shriner of the
Year in 2019.
Most Worshipful Brother Pyle’s dedication to the principles of Freemasonry, always placing
himself second in his Masonic practice has garnered the admiration and respect of his Brethren.
His love of the ritual, his dedication to his Lodge and the Craft in general and his leadership
skills position him as an excellent selection by the brethren of this Grand Jurisdiction to being
elevated to the office of Grand Master of Masons in West Virginia.