Bassett Family Association Database

Col. William Walter Bassett, USAF[1]

Male 1931 - 2011  (79 years)


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  • Name Col. William Walter Bassett 
    Suffix USAF 
    Born 24 11 1931  Effingham, Illinois, USA Find all individuals with events at this location 
    Gender Male 
    Residence Oct 2008  San Antonio, Texas Find all individuals with events at this location 
    Died 3 May 2011  Brooks Army Medical Center Find all individuals with events at this location 
    Notes 
    • Express News, May 6, 2011
      William Bassett (Picture included)

      Colonel William (Bill) Walter Bassett passed away on 3 May, 2011 at Brooks Army Medical Center following a short, courageous battle with an illness. He was surrounded with the love of his wife of 55 years Otilia (Tillie), his brother David and two sons Thomas and Steve. He will be greatly missed by all who knew him because he was a shining example of integrity, honesty and service to others.

      Bill was born on 24 November, 1931 in Effingham, Illinois. During his early childhood he moved extensively as his parents sought employment following the Great Depression.
      Just prior to World War II his father, Stonewall earned his pilot's license and became an airport manager where Bill traded his labor for flying lessons. He received his student pilot's license at 14 but was prohibited from flying solo until his 16th birthday. This early adventure was the beginning of his life-long passion and love of flying.

      Bill graduated from high school in 1949 and enrolled in Wichita University. Following the beginning of the Korean War he enlisted in the USAF as an Aerial Gunner on the B-29 and B-26. Upon completion of initial combat crew training he was assigned to the 452nd Bomb Group (L), and the 730th Bomb Squadron flying the B-26. After compiling 55 combat missions, Bill returned to the States and was assigned to the 359th Bomb Squadron as a B-29 gunner at Davis Monthan AFB, Tucson, Arizona. It was during this time he was captured by the charm and beauty of a young nursing student at a VFW rodeo dance. This marked the beginning of an enduring and passionate love affair with his wife of 55 years, Tillie.

      While at Davis Monthan Bill applied and was accepted to the Aviation Cadet program earning the Top Graduate award of Class 54-Q on August 31, 1954. It was during this time Bill proposed marriage to Tillie and they were married at his first piloting assignment at Perrin AFB, Texas on May 28, 1955. While at stationed at Perrin, Bill and Tillie were blessed with the birth of three children: Bill born in 1958, Kathy born in 1959 and Tom born in 1960.

      The family moved to Okinawa in 1961 before returning in June 1964. During this assignment Bill was a missile officer while continuing to fly the T-33. After leaving Okinawa the family moved to Lubbock, Texas where their youngest son, Steven was born in 1965. While at Reese he became an instructor pilot in Air Force's newest high performance jet trainer, the T-38.

      After two years the family moved again to San Antonio, Texas where Bill continued to fly at Randolph AFB and two years later transferred to Tyndall AFB, FL. Following another flying assignment he attended a joint staff school then quickly turned to qualify in the A-37 and prepare for a one year tour of duty as a flying pilot advisor between 1969-1970 at DaNang, Air Base, Vietnam.

      Following his second combat flying tour, the family moved to Randolph AFB, Texas where Bill again instructed in the T-38 and became the first Commander of the 560th Flying Training Squadron. While there he was instrumental in establishing Operation Homecoming, a program that refamiliarized returning Prisoners of War with flights in the T-38. Following this rewarding and fulfilling command assignment, the family moved to Montgomery, Alabama while Bill attended the Air War College between 1973-1974. After school, Bill was transferred to the Armed Forces Staff College, Norfolk, Virginia and served as a staff instructor between 1974-1977. While assigned there he was selected for promotion to Colonel.

      In 1977 the family took their final military transfer to San Antonio, Texas when Bill was assigned to be the Director of Safety for the Air Training Command. He continued to fill his sense of adventure and excitement with flying the T-38 until his retirement on 1 May 1979, concluding 28 years of service to the Air Force and the Nation.

      Bill's numerous decorations include the Legion of Merit, the Distinguished Flying Cross, the Bronze Star, the Meritorious Service Medal with an Oak Leaf Cluster, the Air Medal with 8 Oak Leaf Clusters, the Air Force Commendation Medal and the Good Conduct Medal as well as many other ribbons and awards.

      Bill's flying career includes 4706.7 total flying hours as pilot, 462 hours as an enlisted gunner in B-26s and B-29s and 490 combat hours.

      Following retirement from the Air Force Bill, Tillie and the family settled in San Antonio where he pursued a second bachelor's degree in Accounting from the University of Texas at San Antonio. After graduation he was awarded his Certified Public Accountant designation from the State of Texas and opened a private practice in Universal City, Texas. He continued to work until he eventually sold his business and became energetically involved with the Order of Daedalians. While working with the Daedalians he served as the organization's National Adjutant and was elected as the Flight Captain at Stinson's flight. He was also visionary and instrumental in establishing the plan to relocate the Daedalians' headquarters from Kelly to Randolph AFB as well as the construction of a new headquarters building.

      Bill and Tillie eventually moved to The Towers in 2001 and quickly found new friends and neighbors. He selflessly volunteered to serve as a Board member and was elected the Board President where he focused on improving the quality of life for all its residents.

      Bill and Tillie were long-standing members of St Matthews Catholic Church where he actively sang as the choir's majestic tenor voice for 25 years. Bill and Tillie also enjoyed a very active life-style traveling with RV groups and making multiple trips to Europe and scenic locations throughout the U.S. and Mexico.

      Bill is survived by his wife of 55 years, Otilia and his brother David E. Bassett. His children include: Bill Bassett, his wife Donna and their two daughters Elizabeth and Julie; Kathy Jordan, her husband Trayce and their three children Ann, Allyn and Theresa; Thomas Bassett and Steve Bassett, his wife Carolyn and their three children, James, David and Natalie. He has numerous nephews and nieces and a large extended family who share in their love and respect of him and Tillie. He was preceded in death by his mother, Doris and father, Stonewall.

      Colonel Bill Bassett was a man of impeccable character and honesty; he will be deeply missed by all who knew him.

      Visitation will begin on Friday, May 6, at 6:00 P.M. with a Rosary to be recited at 7:00 P.M. at the Angelus Chapel. Funeral Mass will be offered on Saturday, May 7, at 1:00 P.M. at St. Matthew's Catholic Church. Entombment will follow in Holy Cross Cemetery with full military honors.

      In lieu of flowers or gifts, the family requests donations be made to the Warrior and Family Support Center at the following address:
      Warrior and Family Support Center, 3138 Rawley E. Chambers, Ft Sam Houston, Texas 78219, (210) 916-8219. Condolences may be sent to the Bassett family at www.theangelusfuneralhome.com. Arrangements by: The Angelus, 1119 N. St. Mary’s St.

    Person ID P1467  13B RIchard William Bassett of Georgia
    Last Modified 17 Sep 2012 

    Father Stonewall Dearen Bassett,   b. 18 Jul 1910, Greenwood, Sebastian County, Arkansas Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 15 Sep 1987, San Antonio, Bexar, Texas, USA Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age 77 years) 
    Relationship Natural 
    Mother Doris V. Kelly,   b. June 14, 1913, Galesburg, Knox, Illinois, USA Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. May 31, 1972, San Antonio, Bexar, Texas, USA Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age ~ 59 years) 
    Relationship Natural 
    Married 21 Apr 1931  McDonald County, Missouri, USA Find all individuals with events at this location 
    Family ID F379  Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

    Family Otilla Carrasco,   d. 30 Apr 2023, Frisco, Texas Find all individuals with events at this location 
    Married 25 May 1955 
    Children 
    +1. Living
     2. Living
     3. Living
    +4. Living
    Family ID F595  Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

  • Sources 
    1. [S-1772156360] Ancestry Family Trees, (Online publication - Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com. Original data: Family Tree files submitted by Ancestry members.), Ancestry Family Trees.
      http://trees.ancestry.com/pt/AMTCitationRedir.aspx?tid=45165897&pid=1467