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- Traverse City Record-Eagle, Michigan, Friday, August 24, 2018
William H. Bassett
December 27, 1923 ? August 17, 2018
William Howard Bassett, 94 years old, passed away on Friday, Aug. 17, 2018 surrounded by family and friends at Clark Retirement Community in Grand Rapids.
Bill was born Dec. 27, 1923 at home in Ferndale with a birth weight of 13 pounds, 8 ounces. He is believed to be the biggest baby born in the city that year. He was the fourth child born to Gordon and Dora Bassett who went on to have five more children for a total of nine. Times were tough during the depression, but Gordon did carpentry work and Dora had a large garden where the family grew many vegetables and canned enough for their needs.
Bill always worked and had many jobs during high school, including delivering ice to customers and building trailers. He graduated from McKenzie High School in 1942.
Bill began work with Michigan Bell Telephone Company in that year and worked there until February 1944 when he was drafted for World War II. After basic training in Washington State Bill was selected as a pole climbing instructor because of his skills he learned at Michigan Bell. He was promoted to Corporal and eventually Sergeant when on maneuvers in Louisiana. He was sent overseas in August and landed in France with the fighting 44th Infantry Division Artillery Liaison Group. Bill's troupe would direct fire upon targets from the Big Guns. Bill had four brothers also served overseas in World War II. His brother, Ralph, was killed in action in the skies over Italy. Brothers, Ron, Doug and Gordon fought overseas and survived. The 44th moved across France and into Germany, where Bill received the Bronze Star for bravery under fire by leading his platoon after his captain was killed in action. After VE Day (Victory in Europe), he returned home July 1945 and was training to return to action against Japan when the Japanese surrendered. Bill went back to work at Michigan Bell Telephone Company in August 1945.
He married Vivian Hedden in 1952 and built a nice home on Schoolcraft Road in Livonia. Bill had two sons, William H. Jr. in 1956 and Jonathan Neel in 1960. He continued his advancement at Michigan Bell in Ann Arbor as a second line foreman and finally as district plant manager in Detroit.
Bill was active in his sons' development as a manager of their baseball teams and as leader of their Indian Guide Troupes. He had the family involved in the Livonia Weekenders Camping Club, where he served as president and participated in camping at least one weekend every month and for two weeks in the summer. Both he and Vivian instilled in the boys a love of nature through their many camp outs and camping trips over the years. As a family they traveled to over 30 states and Canada. Bill also worked as a group leader by mentoring high school students in business through the Junior Achievement program.
Bill was an avid roller hockey player in his early years and became a good golfer, winning many trophies in club tournaments. He also was an active member in the Elks Club.
When Bill retired after 39 years at Michigan Bell, he and Vivian wintered in Florida. He purchased a cottage on Lake Placid near Kalkaska and eventually sold that and bought an old house on Lake Leelanau. He put a large addition on this old house to complete his beautiful home. He was known as a very hard worker and had many skills. Family was very important to Bill and he took pride in hosting the annual Bassett reunion for over 30 years often drawing 50-plus relatives. "Pops" was known for his quick wit and his great sense of humor.
Bill was very generous in friends and family. He started college scholarship programs at Schoolcraft College in Livonia and at Northwestern Michigan College in Traverse City. These scholarships provide four to six students per year with financial support of $500 to $1,000 annually.
Bill lost his previous wife, Vivian, in 1999. He married Vivian Scranton Bassett, of Traverse City, in 2000. They lived in Traverse City for a few years and then at Clark Retirement Home in Grand Rapids since 2005.
Bill is survived by Vivian Scranton Bassett; brother, Ronald Bassett; sons, William H. Bassett Jr. (Laurie) and Jonathan Bassett (Cheryl); grandson, Wesley Bassett (Chelsea); granddaughters, Patricia Bassett, Katie Bassett Faipler (Jason) and Sarah Bassett; great-granddaughter, Adelyn Bassett; and twin great-grandsons, Huxley and Cohen.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Gordon and Dora Bassett; sisters, Allie and May; brothers, Jack, Ralph, Gordon, Doug and Bobby; first wife, Vivian Hedden Bassett; and grandson, Landon Bassett.
Bill was cremated as per his wishes and a celebration of life honoring him will be scheduled in mid October in Grand Rapids with details to follow.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be directed to Friends of the National World War II Memorial, 921 Pennsylvania Ave., Suite 316, Washington, D.C. 20003.
1930 Federal Census of Detroit, Wayne County, Michigan (22 Apr 1930)
Gordon Bassett - 37 - M - CN-CN-CN - Head - Sprayer Auto Plant (1915)
Dora - 37 - F - CN-EN-EN - Wife (1906)
Johnathon - 11 - M - MI-CN-CN - Son
Alvenia - 10 - F - MI-CN-CN - Daughter
Elton - 8 - M - MI-CN-CN - Son
Howard - 6 - M - MI-CN-CN - Son
Ralph - 5 - M - MI-CN-CN - Son
Ronald - 5 - M - MI-CN-CN - Son
Douglas - 3-8/12 - M - MI-CN-CN - Son
Mae - 1/12 - F - MI-CN-CN - Daughter
(Living at 9547 Rutherford)
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Bassett Family Association Database
1923 - 2018 (94 years)