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- Times Record, Fort Smith, Arkansas, Friday, October 22, 2004
William Howard Bass
William Howard Bass passed away unexpectedly on Tuesday, Oct. 19, 2004, in Fayetteville. Howard was born on Sept. 5, 1915, in Prague, Okla. He first came to Fayetteville as a young boy when his father, O.W. Bass, was hired as the Washington County superintendent of schools in the early 1920s. The family lived on a small farm on the southeast side of Fayetteville, later moving into town on Leverett Street. Howard attended Peabody High School at the University of Arkansas, where he was a football player and, according to him, not too much of a scholar. He later married Eloise Kinard Bass of El Dorado, whom he met while she was a student at the University of Arkansas. Following their marriage, they lived briefly in Poteau prior to moving to Fort Smith, where he began employment with Godt Brothers Drug Store as the restaurant manager. In 1940, Howard purchased the Plaza Cafe, which was located in the old Union Bus Station on Garrison Avenue, and operated that along with his brother, Oscar, until 1950, when they opened the Dairy Grand drive-in restaurant at Grand Avenue and 31st Street. Howard was a veteran of World War II, having served as a staff sergeant in charge of a mortar squad during the Battle of the Bulge as well as serving in the Army of Occupation until he returned home to Fort Smith in late 1945. In 1961, Howard and Eloise returned to Fayetteville, where he opened the Fayetteville Linen Supply, which at that time was located on Dickson Street where the Walton Arts Center is now located. His brother, Oscar, also joined him as a partner in the linen supply. Howard was a past president of the Fayetteville Exchange Club and a member of Central United Methodist Church.
Howard is survived by his brother, John Bass of San Francisco; his son and daughter-in-law, James and Karen Bass of Arlington, Texas; daughter-in-law, Sherryl Bass of Houston; and grandchildren, Cary Bass, Melissa Thornton, Leah Bass, Sarah Bass, April Bass, Laura Rice, Eric Sherman and Chris Sherman; and four great-grandchildren.
Howard was predeceased by his loving wife, Eloise; his parents, O.W. and May Bass; his eldest son, Howard H. Bass; and his brothers, Theodore and Oscar Bass; as well as two siblings who died as infants. Funeral services will be held graveside at Fairview Memorial Park at 3 p.m. today, with Moore's Chapel of Fayetteville handling arrangements. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the charity of your choice in Howard's memory.
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Bassett Family Association Database
1915 - 2004 (89 years)