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- During World War II, Wilmer Wilson Bassett Jr. served with the 65th Armored Field Artillery unit in North Africa, Sicily and the Normandy D-Day invasion, being among the first units on the beaches.
University of Florida Foundation
Wilmer W. and Melda Bassett Endowment Fund
This scholarship ws provided in recognition of Wilmer W. Bassett and his wife, Melda. Wilmer Bassett owned and operated Bassett's Dairy Farm in Monticello, Florida. A 1937 graduate of the University of Florida, he went on to work as an agricultural extension agent in Lake County, Florida and as a 4-H representative at UF. As president of the Florida Dairy Association, he was a state leader, aiding in the transition from the use of milk cans to the modern milking parlors. He served on the board of directors of the Farmers and Merchants Bank and Florida Power Corp., and was also president of the Florida 4-H Foundation and was vice chair of SHARE Council. As a lieutenant colonel in the U.S. Army during World War II, he earned a Bronze Star for meritorious service. He passed away in 1996.
Melda Bassett has been employed with UF since 1981 and is currently an assistant vice president for development with the Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences.
In memoriam: Wilmer Wilson Bassett, Jr.
1915-1996
The Aucilla River Prehistory Project will deeply miss its wonderful friend and supporter, Wilmer W. Bassett, Jr., who passed away at the age of 81 on December 6, 1996. Born in Monticello and educated at the University of Florida, Wilmer was a leader in Florida Agriculture. He received many honors including the Bronze Star for his service as lieutenant colonel in artillery in World War II, induction into the Florida Dairy Hall of Fame, and the Distinguished Alumnus Award from the University of Florida.
With regard to the Aucilla River Prehistory Project, Wilmer provided the river cabin and other valuable funding. That cabin made all the difference in the project's effectiveness, for it allowed us not only to produce better meals but also to hold substantial educational activities in the evenings.
Much to our delight, Wilmer himself played an active role in many ARPP activities. As an educator who had spent his life observing Florida natural history, Wilmer took an intense interest in the project's scientific endeavors and also showed genuine concern for the progess of its students. On his weekly trip through north Florida, he almost always spent an evening or two with our group, and this was always a big morale booster. It was also literally a "treat", because he insisted on providing three freshly baked pies. Aucilla River participants will long remember his "Dooby" pies, which uniquely provided enough calories to carry on the next day's dive.
Wilmer also led project members to garner support in legislative offices, and introduced them to civic organizations in Monticello, Gainesville, and Tallahassee.
The ARPP and its readership wish to convey our love and support to his wife, Melda, his son, "Bill", his daughters, Lucy, Mary and Carolyn, and to their families.
An outstanding naturalist, educator and businessman, Wilmer Bassett provided outstanding leadership to the ARPP, which we will never forget.
South Florida Sun-Sentinel
Fort Lauderdale, Florida
December 10, 1996
Wilmer Wilson Bassett Jr.
Memorial services for Mr. Bassett, 81, owner/operator of Bassett's Dairy Farm, Monticello, Florida, will be held at 1 p.m. on Tuesday, December 10, 1996 at First Presbyterian Church of Gainesville, Florida, with Dr. Robert Battles officiating. There will also be a Funeral Service in Monticello, Florida at 11:00 on Monday, December 9, 1996 at First Presbyterian Church of Monticello, Florida with the Reverend Douglas Hughes and Dr. Robert Battles officiating. Burial will be in Rose Lawn Cemetery, Monticello, Florida, under the care of Williams-Thomas Funeral Home, 404 North Main Street, Gainesville, Florida 32301. Mr. Bassett, who lived in Gainesville, Florida, died on Friday, December 6, 1996 in Gainesville. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that contributions be made to the Bassett Memorial, University of Florida Foundation, Inc. Share, P.O. Box 110170, Gainesville, Florida 32611; First Presbyterian Church, 300 SW 2 Avenue, Gainesville, Florida 32601; First Presbyterian Church, 290 East Dogwood Street, Monticello, Florida 32344 or the Monticello Opera House, Washington Street, Monticello, Florida 32344.
Survivors include spouse, Melda Hamilton Bassett of Gainesville, Florida; children, Lucy Trawick (Dr. Steve Trawick), Pensacola, Florida; Mary Caar (Mrs. Frank Caar), Boca Raton, Florida; Wilmer Wilson "Bill" Bassett III, Monticello, Florida; John Collins Bassett, deceased; Carolyn Gosselin (Mrs. Robert Gosselin), Orlando, Florida; stepchildren, Lynda Lee Hopkins (Mrs. Cliff Hopkins), Hilton Head Island, South Carolina; Cheryl Lee Duhaime (Mrs. Ross Dehaime), Orlanta, Florida; 14 grandchildren, John Bassett Trawick, Virginia Carol Trawick, Kathryn Lee Trawick, Stephanie Stapel Trawick, Elizabeth Copeland Bassett, Carolyn Collins Bassett, Joseph WIlson Bassett, Frank J. Caar III, Catherine Collin Caar, Laurean Bassett Caar, Robert Christian Gosselin, Lucy Caroline Gosselin, Jason Trent Hopkins.
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Bassett Family Association Database
1915 - 1996 (81 years)