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Contra Costa Times, Walnut Creek, California, Friday, February 25, 2011
Willis Arlan Bass
Mar. 18, 1924 ? Feb. 22, 2011
Resident of Richmond Willis Arlan Bass passed away February 22, 2011 at his home in Richmond, California. Willis was born March 18, 1924 at the family farm outside of Paragould, Arkansas, the last of six children. His parents, Moses Price Bass and Augusta Estelle (Hancock) Bass lived in the Cotton Belt area near Paragould. Willis graduated from Oak Grove High School in 1942. He served in the CCC camp at Ravenden Springs, Arkansas before enlisting in the Navy. His Basic Training took place at Farragut Naval Recruit Training Facility in Bayview, Idaho. Willis was proud to have served on the USS Petrof Bay, an escort carrier, during WW II. His ship took part in the invasion of Okinawa and was also at the Japanese surrender in Tokyo Bay in 1945. Willis married Betty Sue Price of Paragould, Arkansas on June 26, 1945. Their first son, Richard, was born in Paragould but the family moved shortly thereafter to Richmond where they settled. Their second son, Ron, was born in Oakland, followed by their daughter, Patricia, who was born at Mare Island where Willis served in the Navy during the Korean War. Willis worked as a Traffic Manager at the Ford Motor Plant in Richmond then Oliver Tire & Rubber Company in Emeryville. During this time he was active in the Oakland Traffic Club and served as President of the Club in 1968. He then worked for various trucking companies in Oakland and retired in 1986 from System 99. He liked meeting new people and made treasured friendships that always cheered his life. He will be remembered for his country humor and good southern cooking. He was preceded in death by his parents, brothers Manley, Older, and William, sisters Edna (Beck) and Dina (Merkel), niece Reba Wait and nephew Gerald Von Beck. Willis is survived by sons Richard (Audrey) in San Francisco, Ron (Diane) in Diamond Springs, and daughter Patty (Vern) Burlingame in Bonners Ferry, Idaho. His Grandchildren are Efram and Sara Burlingame, Eric Bass, Lisa Young, Cortney and Tim Bass. He had six great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews in California, Missouri, and Arkansas. Visitation will take place Friday, February 25 at Wilson & Kratzer's Civic Center Mortuary from 7-9pm. Private interment will take place at a later time. In lieu of flowers the family suggests contributions be made to the donor's favorite charity in Willis' memory.
1930 Federal Census of Clark, Greene County, Arkansas
Price Bass - 64 - Male - Missouri - Head - Farmer Truck Farm
Gussie - 47 - Female - Arkansas - Wife
Older - 20 - Male - Arkansas - Son - Laborer on Farm
Edna - 16 - Female - Arkansas - Daughter
Dona - 11 - Female - Arkansas - Daughter
William - 8 - Male - Arkansas - Son
Willis - 6 - Male - Arkansas - Son
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