| Notes |
- Loved Aviation, Hondo
Stonewall (Stoney) Bassett
Mr. Stonewall (Stoney) Bassett died on Sep 25th in a nursing home in San Antonio after a lenghthy illness. He was 77.
Stoney and his family were residents of Hondo from the re-opening of Hondo Air Base in 1951 until it closed again in 1958. Even though they lived here a comparatively short time, they still have many friends in Hondo and especially in the congregation of the First Methodist Church.
Mr. Bassett and a friend first became involved in aviation in the 1930?s when they designed and built their own airplane and then ?taught each other to fly it.? His experience and ability led to a flight instructor position at a British Flight Training School in Oklahoma before and during World War II. He taught British pilot trainees all phases of flight including gunnery.
After World War II, he had his own private airport in Wichitan, Kansas where he taught veterans and others to fly light aircraft. When the Korean War broke out, he joined Texas Aviation Industries in Hondo to do what he liked best ? teach combat pilots. He progresses from instructor to Flight Commander at Hondo Air Base.
When the Air Base closed again, Mr. Bassett filled similar positions at Gary AB, Tx, Fort Sill, Ok, and at Malden AB, Mo., before becoming the Secretary-Treasurer of Doss Aviation, Inc., a contractor responsible for Army Pilot Training at Fort Stewart, Ga. He retired when the civilian-operated pilot training actrivity ceased.
Mr. Bassett is survived by his sister, Mrs. Nina Duncan, and his brother, Mr. Marshall Bassett, both of Bella Vista, Arkansas, in addition to his sons Bill and David Bassett, both of San Antonio, along with 7 grandchildren. His cremains will be interred in Jesup, Ga, next to his wife, Doris, who preceded him in death by more than 14 years.
|
Bassett Family Association Database
1910 - 1987 (77 years)