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The Odessa American, Odessa, Texas, Sunday, 3 September 2000
Walton Ray Bass
ODESSA-- Walton Ray Bass Jr., "Ray," 76 years of age, went home to his Lord Aug. 23, 2000, at his residence after a lengthy illness. He was born June 4, 1924, to Paula Inez and Walton Ray Bass Sr.
Ray's primary occupation was derived from his education in music with Fort Worth private music teachers and in 1941 to 1942 at the North Texas State University in Denton. He started his music career at the age of six years when he conducted the Fort Worth Symphony. During high school, he performed with various orchestras in both the Dallas and Fort Worth areas. His instruments included saxophone, clarinet, string bass and for arranging and composing, the piano. As an adult, he became well known in the big band era as a saxophonist and arranger for Les Brown's Orchestra, as well as a back-up performer for such headline stars as Rosemary Clooney and Jack Benny at the Illinois State Fair in 1951, Sammy Davis Jr. at a Veterans' Hospital benefit, the Mills Brothers in Las Vegas nightclubs, as well as Dan Rowan and Dick Martin's comedy routines before their television fame. He also accompanied major acts with original background music for vaudeville and comedy troupes such as the "Hell's-a-Poppin Show."
With the popularity of the big band era decreasing, Ray moved to Odessa to settle down from the long hours of traveling and late night performances, although he remained a lifetime member of the Musician's Union and helped organize and perform with local bands. It was here in Odessa that he found and married the love of his life, Willie Mae Lasater, July 15, 1953. In addition to his music, Ray worked as a supervisor of an animal shelter and as an interviewer at the Texas Employment Commission. Then, he took up a secondary craft as a sheet metal layout and pattern cutter working for the Forrest Haney Sheet Metal Company and then Permian Air Conditioning, from which he retired due to illness.
Ray served in World War II with the 9th Army Air Corps, stationed in Europe. He was in charge of the Army Air Corps dance and show band, touring the European theater extensively entertaining the troops. He served as bombardier on a B-27 bomber, achieving the rank of 1st Sergeant.
Ray is survived by his wife, Willie Mae Bass; his son, Kenneth Ray Bass of Odessa; brothers, John Robert Bass of Fort Worth and Dean Bass of Mexico City; sister, Sue Barton of Bellville; and the joys of his life, his grandchildren, Rhonda Dwan Blake, Kendra Rayette Bass and Stephen Robert BW Bass of Odessa.
The family has requested that in lieu of flowers, memorials to the Community Home Care Hospice, 3641 N. Dixie Blvd., Odessa, Texas, 79762, would be much appreciated.
Arrangements by Stanton Memorial Funeral Home and Chapel.
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Bassett Family Association Database
1924 - 2000 (76 years)