William "Bill" Basden

William F. “Bill” Basden left this world peacefully at 4:55 am, July 16 2012 surrounded by his loving wife, Marge and children, Anne Marie and William David. Bill was born December 13, 1918 and raised on a fruit farm in Kell Illinois, son of Arthur and Rose (Simmons) Basden. In his youth he was proud to have taken a job driving a new model ‘A’ Ford taxi, although that was short lived. Once World War II broke out he came to Evansville to work at Republic Aviation building aircraft for the War effort. He eventually joined the Navy and served in the South Pacific on an LST. He was honorably discharged from the military January 1946. Bill worked for Automobile Shipper for a number of years. He became one of the original “Dodge Boys” of Evansville. After many years of working for others he opened his first service station on the Westside of Evansville. Eventually, Bill and his wife Margaret transitioned the small Marathon service station into Basden RV Center of which at the age of 75 he finally retired from in 1992. Bill was a volunteer for many years with the Westside Improvement Organization serving as an officer. He was an active member of Corpus Christi Catholic Church and a life time member of the Westside Nut Club. Bill is preceded in death by his first wife, Lucille (Roell). He is the last of his sibling being preceded by his brothers John and Rolland, sisters Alice and Loretta. Bill is survived by his wife of 48 years, Margaret (Nunning) Basden; his children of whom he was so very proud of, son William David “Bill” Basden of Santa Barbara California, Senior Vice President of Warren and Selbert, daughter Dr. Anne Marie Basden of Evansville, Manager of Prorehab Indiana St, daughter Sandra Sonnenberg of Littleton Colorado, retired. He is also survived by three grandchildren and 7 great grandchildren. A Mass of Christian Burial will take place on Thursday, July 19, 2012 at 10:00 A.M. at Corpus Christi Catholic Church, Rev. Jim Blessinger and Rev. David Nunning officiating. Burial will follow in St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery, where the Vanderburgh County Retired Veterans Memorial Club will conduct military rites. Friends may visit with the family from 2:00 until 8:00 P.M. on Wednesday at Pierre Funeral Home, 2601 W. Franklin Street and from 9:30 A.M. until service time on Thursday at Corpus Christi. Bill’s family would like to thank all of our friends and family for all of their loving support in the finial months of Bill’s life. We would like to say a special thank you to staff at the VNA Charlier Hospice Center. Memorial contributions may be made to the VNA Charlier Hospice Center PO Box 3487 Evansville IN 47734, Westside Nut Club Foundation PO Box 6032 Wabash Station Evansville IN 47719 or Corpus Christi Catholic Church 5525 Hogue Road Evansville IN 47712

William "Bill" Basden

December 13, 1918 - July 16, 2012