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- WILBUR AND MARTHA JEAN (NIGH) BASSETT
Shelby County Historical Society
Wilbur W. is the son of Melvin and Lora Gillespie Bassett, grandson of
Burton and Margaret Gillespie and Wilbur and Mary Thomas Basset
descendant of Nymphas Bassett (1821-1880) and of William Bassett who came to
this country in 1621. Siblings: Mildred Harrell Clark (1904-1975), Edythe M.
(908), Carl E. (1913) Ruth B. Cox (1919).
He was born in Marion Township (Oct. 11, 1917) and attended the
Bassett School before moving to Brandywine Township where he helped his father
farm. Part of that farm is now the Fairland Recreation Park where Wilbur owns
a trailer in which hangs a plaque that reads: "I'm fishing now where I used to
plow". Wilbur graduated from Fairland High School in 1935. His service in the
U.S. Army during WWII included serving as a gunnery instructor at F. Know, KY
and as a Tank Commander with the rank of Sergeant in the 780th Amphibious Tank
Battalion in the Asiatic Theater. He is an Inactive Member of the Metropolitan
Indianapolis Board of Realtors and was an active Realtor in the Indianapolis
area for 30 years prior to retirement.
On July 3, 1942, he married Martha Jean Nigh (June 8, 1920), daughter
of Ernest and Ruth Timney Nigh. She graduated from Fairland High School in
1938 and Central Business College in 1939. Ernest, a Fairland High Scho
graduate, was a prominent businessman having been associated with the
Refrigeration Equipment Company of Indianapolis for 20 years. He owned and
operated an appliance store in Fairland. Ruth graduated from Fairland High
School and was active in church and community affairs. She was a member of the
Women's Saturday Afternoon Club of Fairland, Mary Mott Green Chapter DA
Shelby County Historical Society and was a Gray Lady at Camp Atterbury WWII.
Her father, Frank Timney, was a native of Scotland. He owned and operated a
general store in Fairland.
Martha Jean is the granddaughter of Jaco Stover and Matilda Sleeth
Nigh and Frank and Annie Wray Timney. She is the great-great-great-
granddaughter of James and Tabitha Bass Wray. Her sisters: Julia (1916-1931),
Jeanette (Pat) Brockman (1917-1984).
Children of Wilbur and Martha Jean:
Rosemary (June 20, 1944) Dayton, IN, married Charles P. Caldwell II on
April 10, 1964 in Asmara, Ethiopia. Their children are Ryan Phillip (Dec. 6,
1971) and Shannon Lea (Sept. 1, 1974).
Charlotte Jean (Dec.5, 1947) Indianapolis, IN, married Dennis A. Deeter
on Sept. 1, 1967. Their children are Jeffrey Michael (June 16, 1971) and
Carolyn Nigh (Feb. 3, 1976).
Jane Leigh (July 18, 1954) New Palestine, IN, married James Massey on
Oct. 17, 1985. Their children are Eric Justin (Sept. 20, 1987) and Katherine
Elizabeth (March 6, 1989).
The Indianapolis Star, Indiana, 4 Oct 2003
Wilbur W. Bassett
Wilbur W. Bassett, 85, Indianapolis, passed away October 3, 2003. He was born
October 11, 1917 in Shelby Co., IN. He was a graduate of Fairland H.S. and
attended Indiana University. Wilbur was an Army veteran of WWII, serving in
the Pacific. He was a realtor and Sales Manager for Justus Enterprises,
retiring in 1978. He was a member of the Metropolitan Indianapolis Board of
Realtors and was a charter member of the Eastside Multiple Listing
Association. He was a member of Irvington United Methodist Church, Sugar Creek
Masonic Lodge, Scottish Rite, Murat Shrine and American Legion Post #46
Visitation will be Sunday, October 5, from 2 p.m. until 5 p.m. with services
Monday, October 6, at 10 a.m. in Shirley Brothers Washington Memorial Chapel,
9606 E. Washington St. Burial will follow at Forest Hill Cemetery in
Shelbyville. Memorial contributions may be made to American Lung Association.
Survivors include his wife Martha Jean (Nigh) Bassett, daughters Rosema
Caldwell, Charlotte Deeter and Janet Massey, sister Ruth Cox, 7 grandchildren,
and 4 great-grandchildren.
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Bassett Family Association Database
1917 - 2003 (85 years)