Willis H. Leavitt Esq, 32° KCCH PP
(May 24, 1855 - Oct 31, 1924)
Rural Lodge #316

1894 - 32° Consistory of Western MO, Kansas City
1902-04 - Wise Master, Areiopagus Chapter of Rose Croix
1917 - Knight Commander of the Court of Honour

Member, Orient Chapter No. 102
Member, Shekinah Council No. 24

1903 - Potentate, Ararat Shrine

Occupation: Attorney, admitted to the bar: 1882, first teacher of shorthand in Kansas City, Missouri at Spauldings Commercial College.
Alum: Harvard University
Interred: Mt. Moriah Cemetery, Kansas City, MO

Willis Herbert Leavitt, 69, was a lawyer since 1882. He completed his education at Harvard and came to Kansas City in 1880 where he was a member of the Jackson County Bar for more than 40 years. He established his office in the New York Life building and, besides practicing law, he was the first person to teach shorthand in Kansas City, Missouri which he did at the Spaulding Commercial College from 1883 to 1990. He was survived by his wife and three adult daughters.

Brother Leavitt was an active Mason. He was a member of Rural Lodge No. 316, he became a 32° Mason in the Valley of Kansas City Scottish Rite in 1894. He served as Wise Master in the Areiopagus Chapter of Rose Croix from 1902-04 and was invested with the Knight Commander of the Court of Honour in 1917. He was also an active Shriner serving as potentate of Ararat Shrine in 1903. In the "Scottish Rite Progress" Distinguished Brother Leavitt was described as one of the deepest Masonic scholars of this Masonic Jurisdiction and one of the key members helping to build the Valley of Kansas City from a small beginning to the magnificient organization it was at the time of his death. He was described as being very proficient in the Rose Croix degrees.