Bill Wilson, National Founder

[Erik P Conard]

What was the middle name of William Wilson, TKE National Founder. Erroneously published as William L Wilson, that is not
correct. It has been corrected in the TEKE mag but does not seem to appear elsewhere.
Past Grand Prytanis, recently deceased, Rodney Williams, Jr.,
did not have a middle name...
So, trivia again...YITB, Erik (Emporia '60)

[The1calledTKE]

Salter was his mother's maiden name. A daughter of
Bill's wrote the TEKE mag years ago correcting the long-used
William L Wilson moniker. The L persisted many, many years,
and even Dr. William Van "Suits" Muse overlooked it when he
re-wrote the TEKE GUIDE.

[Erik P Conard]

--sure those words were not mine sent to you many years ago?
At any rate, RIGHT!
Next trivia question:
Why was Harrold Pierce "Tex" Flint called "Tex" when the Flint
family was from Hoopeston, Illinois?

[Erik P Conard]

Tex Flint's mom, Lockie Belle Pierce Flint, was hatchin' when she
visited some kin in Texas. She had Harrold Pierce Flint there, and shortly there after returned to Hoopeston, IL...and had another
Teke, James...who was initiated at AA chapter, Wabash.
My source for this gem was Tex himself, who I knew well.
Okay, since you all did not know the above, try this:
Why was Leland F Leland called "Pete?"

[hoosier]

Back in the old days, the Hegemon's manual carefull instructed the Hegemon to "personally verify that each pledge was a man, by inspecting each one."

When Leland and his fellow pledges were 'inspected', he was definitely a man, had the biggest one, and earned the traditional Theta chapter pledge nickname of 'Peter'. As he got older, it was shortened to Pete.

I also heard, perhaps from Melchert, that in his ug days, Eric was known as 'Tiny'.

Have you heard why Bill Muse was called 'Suitcase"?

[Erik P Conard]

Leland F Leland was born Leland F Peterson. He changed his
surname from Peterson to Leland as there were, he thought, too
many Swedes in Minneapolis, hence moniker "Pete." Pete was a
hail-fellow-well-met, especially if you were buying...
While I was on the road there were several well-hung Fraters.
I was but one. Melchert was too short to peek over the urnial
in the Kappa Kappa Gamma house to assess my tool.
Now, limpdicks, which Grand Prytanis was married (and divorced)
from a much heralded opera singer?
And, smart asses, which Past Grand Prytanis was married to the
Grand Poobah of Alpha Omicron Pi?

[hoosier]

Past Grand Prytanis was married to the
Grand Poobah of Alpha Omicron Pi?

I think the initials are LFL or LFP originally.

Wasn't her name Wilma? Did she ever come to the TKE Conclave?

[Erik P Conard]

Yes, Hoosier, you get the Apollo pouch...it was, indeed Pete
Leland...married to Wilma Smith, who as Wilma Smith Leland,
presided over AOPi in the 50s. They had no sons, but a couple
of AOPi daughters. Pete had a special white gold badge, a bit
larger, sometimes called a "founder's pin," and diamonds were
at each corner where pearls are usually....three in all. I believe
Frank Leicher of Burr, Patterson & Auld had it made. Wish we knew where it was, but likely yet in family. If HQ ever gets their
shit together, archives-wise, it belongs there. The late Jim Kane
volunteered his time, free, to try to establish some sort of order to the old artifacts...now there was a GREAT Teke. But I do not
know if Wilma came to any Conclaves...she did not from '55 on
as I was at them. Pete preferred the bar to the bride, but I am
sure he had a reason. He was a good looking, sharp dressing,
and very personable man, Pete was. When we took a lot of the
old boys into the Knights of Apollo, the bellyaching about this group stopped. Tex and Pete nominated me and I was elected
"Histor for Life of the KoA" at the '59 Conclave in Detroit. Pete,
Tues, Tex, et al., were as proud as a three pekkered dog with the gold sashes Dick Hall (god bless him) gave 'em. The KoA has one
founder living, Wally Ginn, here in Denver. He is scroll #1 of the
DU (Gamma Tau) chapter and very active in the Alum Chaper.

[ctowle]

Hello all,
I am the grand-nephew of Leland "Pete" Leland and I am doing family research. I would love if any who knew him could share stories and photos of him. I would really appreciate any help.

Thank you,
Chad Towle
Saint Paul, MN
chad@towlebooth.com