William Bassett

William Weston “Bill” Bassett Birth 18 Feb 1938 Kokomo, Howard County, Indiana Death 14 Jan 2023 Largo, Pinellas County, Florida Burial Sunset Memory Garden Kokomo, Howard County, Indiana son of Weston Hansel Bassett and Marjorie AliceFinch

William Weston Bassett was called home to be with his Lord and Savior on Saturday, January 14, 2023, surrounded by his loving wife, children, and three siblings and their spouses at Largo Heart and Cardiovascular Hospital in Largo, Florida.

Bill was born in Kokomo, Indiana, on February 18, 1938. He was the beloved son of Weston Hansel and Marjorie Finch Bassett.

Bill graduated from Kokomo High School in 1956 and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in civil engineering and land surveying from Purdue University, where he was a member of Beta Theta Pi fraternity. Upon graduating, he immediately went to work for the State of Indiana designing bridges and highways.

In June of 1961, Bill was called to serve his country in the United States Army and commissioned as a Second Lieutenant. Consequently, he was ordered to Wildflecken, Germany, to serve as a combat engineer for 18 months. Bill was honorably discharged after time in the Army Reserve.

After he returned to Indiana, Bill worked for a consulting engineering company in Indianapolis.

In the spring of 1966, he accepted the position of Miami County Highway Engineer and moved to Peru, Indiana.

In 1968, Bill not only fulfilled his dream of returning to Kokomo but also to be self-employed by the age of 30. He was raised in a family of entrepreneurs and desired to continue the family tradition.

Bill established William Bassett and Associates, which was an architectural and engineering design firm and a construction management company, along with land surveying. Today you can see much of his work throughout Howard County in office buildings, churches, homes, and subdivisions he developed as: Maple Crest, Greentree, parts of Westbrook, Timber Valley, Weston Place, and Cambridge Quarters. He also built Emerald Isle Condominiums in North Redington Beach, Florida, where his family has enjoyed their second home for 40 years.

Bill was a 70 plus year member of Grace United Methodist Church, where he served on numerous leadership committees and directed many remodeling projects. Bill enjoyed serving on the Security Federal Savings Bank Board for 30 years and Kokomo Family YMCA Board and was an active member of Rotary Club in the past, as well as the Kokomo Country Club. He loved the outdoors, especially his 40-acre farm west of Kokomo, time spent with family at Lake Maxinkuckee, and Purdue sports. Bill was an avid fan and season ticket holder for Purdue football and basketball for decades. His favorite pastime was browsing through Rural King and eating their free popcorn.

Most importantly, Bill loved his family and was his children’s and grandchildren’s biggest fan and supporter … always making time to attend their sporting events, dance recitals, and other school activities.

After retirement, he faithfully attended a Tuesday morning men’s bible study which brought him great joy. Studying God’s word and sharing the love of Jesus with others was very important to him.

Bill will be remembered as a man of strong faith; loving husband; devoted father, grandfather, and great-grandfather; loyal friend; and patriot. He was a man of numerous outstanding qualities … intelligent, kind, patient, and always exhibited strong character.

Bill is survived by his loving wife, Sharon Siegesmund Bassett, to whom he was married for nearly 59 years. They were married March 28, 1964, in a chapel at Fort Benjamin Harrison. Three devoted children survive: Sara Bassett (David) Sullivan of Russiaville, Indiana, Brenda Bassett (Scott) Read of Newport Beach, California, and William Weston (Nicole) Bassett Jr. of Westfield, Indiana; eleven grandchildren: Brock William Malliet, John Bassett, Grace Ellen, and Lillian Audrey Sullivan, Peter Franklin and Sara Kay Read, Audrey Rae, Gabriella Faith, and Caroline Alyce Bassett, Kaelin Sullivan (James) DeChant, and Jennifer Leigh Sullivan; and two great-granddaughters: Isabella Marie and Chloe Noel DeChant.

Bill is also survived by three siblings: Barbara Bassett (William) Lambert, John Bertram (Linda) Bassett, and Kathy Bassett (Stanley) Rebber; two nieces: Katharyn Lambert (Daniel) Williams and Laura Bassett (Ryan) Olejnik; and two nephews: Derek John (Jennifer) Bassett and Weston Daniel Williams.

In addition to family, Bill was loved by his friends and was highly regarded by many business associates.

Bill was preceded in death by his parents and niece, Barbara Theresa Lambert.

You are invited to visit with the Bassett family from 2:00 - 5:00 p.m. on Sunday, January 22, 2023, at Grace United Methodist Church, 219 West Mulberry Street, Kokomo

. A celebration of Bill’s life will be on Monday, January 23, 2023, at 11:00 a.m. with Dr. Rev. Steven Beutler and Pastor Matthew Swisher officiating.

Entombment will follow at Sunset Memorial Gardens, 2097 West Alto Road, Kokomo, with full military honors provided by V. F. W. Posts 1152 and 8035.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Bill’s memory to Grace United Methodist Church, 219 West Mulberry Street, Kokomo, IN 46901; Kokomo Family YMCA, 114 North Union Street, Kokomo, IN 46901; or Wounded Warrior Project, P.O. Box 758517, Topeka, KS 66675.

Doan & Mills Funeral Home (owned by Sara and David Sullivan), 790 National Road West, Richmond, Indiana, is handling the arrangements.

married March 28, 1964, in a chapel at Fort Benjamin Harrison Sharon Ellen Siegesmund Bassett

Children:
Sara Basset married David Sullivan
Brenda Basset married David Read
William "Billy" Weston Bassett Jr. Dec 17, 1974 — Oct 26, 2024; married Nicole Rae Miller