William F. (Bill) Bass

William F. Bass (Bill), 91, of Alexander, NC died unexpectedly at home on Sept. 27.  He is survived by his wife, Ann Clark Bass, daughters Pamala Bass Sands (Laney), the Outer Banks, Lori Bass Brown (Chris), Binghamton NY, sister, Linda Suggs (Glenn) Raleigh, brother, Douglas Bass (Linda), Fayetteville NC, grandchildren, nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his father, Fred Bass, mother, Annie Hinnant Pace, brother, Kermit Bass, and sister, Frances Hales.

From early years in a tobacco farming family in Johnston Co. NC, Bill began his work life as a telegraph operator with the Atlantic Central Railroad. Thereafter he was a telephone lineman.   After serving in the U.S. Army as a communications specialist in the Korean Conflict (think “Radar” in M.A.S.H.), he earned a degree in electrical engineering and was recruited by UNIVAC to service mainframe computers. He was on call 24/7 keeping Penna. state police and several corporations “up and running.” After 1986, as Bass Computer Services, he provided computer and phone support for Keystone Jr. College in LaPlume PA.  In 1998 Bill and Ann moved from Pennsylvania. to North Carolina. Bill enjoyed an “encore career” for 10 years with Piedmont Air (operating as U.S. Air) and American Airlines at the “AVL” airport as a member of the ground crew.

Bill was a trustee of the Dalton Baptist Church in northeastern PA, was a charter, 20 yr. member of the Tunkhannock, PA chapter of S.P.E.B.S.Q.S.A. – and sang tenor in The Extremes barbershop quartet.  He filmed football games for Lackawanna Trail H.S., served as Glenburn Twp. Supervisor, was a member of Dalton Lions Club, Abington Players and S.R.O. community theatre ensembles. He sang in the N.E. PA Philharmonic Chorus.

After relocating to the Asheville area, Bill was in Asheville Community Theatre’s Music Man, the Reuter Center Singers and the Weaverville UMC choir. His favorite role of all time was playing Santa Claus for 16 years in the Weaverville Christmas Parade and at the WUMC Craft Fairs.

Following in his grandfather’s footsteps, Bill learned carpentry and how to fix things.  He built two homes nearly singlehandedly, remodeled his current residence – including a kitchen makeover just 5 years ago. He could take a car apart and reassemble it and had a ’41 Chevy in the works. He loved NASCAR races, was a certified ham radio operator, endured Ann’s Hallmark movies and invited his mother-in-law to share his home on two extended occasions. 

Bill had the tremendous capacity for making people feel valued and kept people laughing with his warm smile and a twinkle in his eye.  He viewed life as an adventure, had a quiet abiding faith, appreciated any opportunity for hard work and the satisfaction of accomplishment.  He gave everyone the benefit of the doubt, never complained, loved family and friends without measure. He lived with gratitude and generosity. He will be sorely missed by those who knew him, though they will forever be comforted by wonderful memories.

A Memorial Service is scheduled for Oct. 28 10:00a.m. at Weaverville United Methodist Church.  The family will receive friends one hour before at the church. Interment will follow and be private at the Black Mountain State Veterans Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers the family suggests, with appreciation, donations to the Veterans Restoration Quarters (Asheville Buncombe Christian Community Ministry) or The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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