Obituary of Bill Poe Bassett

Bill Poe Bassett, age 94, of Lake Ozark, Missouri passed away on Saturday, March 16th, 2019 at Osage Beach Rehabilitation and Health Care. 

Bill was born December 10, 1924 in Thornburg, Iowa.  He was the son of Earl and Bernice Bassett.  He was married to Jude Atteberry Bassett for 58 years, until her passing on December 10th, 2005.  Together they had two children, Kim Bechtold and Toni Milner.  Later, he was united in marriage to Carol Cummings Bassett on March 8th, 2008 at which time his family expanded to include Mary Kay Quiet and Ginger Moore.

Bill was a Purple Heart recipient while serving in the United States Army during World War II.  After returning from service in 1945, Bill moved to Missouri.  Several years later, he became one of four people to form the city of Lake Ozark.  Throughout his years in Lake Ozark, he started several businesses, including Bill Bassett Real Estate and The Glass Barn, among others.  After his retirement, Bill volunteered at Lake Regional Hospital in Osage Beach, Missouri. Bill was the proud recipient of many awards throughout the area including Realtor of the Year 1982 and the Community Impact Award in 2015 and Outstanding Citizen Award from Lt. Governor Parson in 2018.  He was a charter member of the Lake Ozark Lions Club and former member of the Shriners.    He was also a long time member of the Lake Ozark Christian Church.  Bill was known for his humorous Christmas letters and telling jokes (although you rarely heard the punch line, due to his laughing too hard to finish his own joke).

Bill is survived by his wife, Carol of the home; two children, Kim and David Bechtold of Osage Beach, Missouri, Toni and Jim Milner of Collinsville, Illinois; one step-daughter, Mary Kay Quiett of Lake Ozark, Missouri; two grandchildren, Jeremy and Megan Bechtold, Trevor and Lindsay Bechtold; step-grandchildren, Morgan and Lance Fulks, Jessica and Ryan Bridges, Molly and Mike Degan, Kim and Jeremias Fernandez, Danny Quiett, Mary Kate Moore and Adam Murphy; and eight great-grandchildren.

He is preceded in death by one step-daughter, Ginger Moore, two step-sons-in-law, Rick Moore and Dan Quiett, two sisters and one brother.

Bill stood for decency, kindness and integrity.  He loved his family and friends.  He will be greatly missed. 

Memorial gifts honoring his memory can be made to the Lake Ozark Christian Church or the Gary Sinise Foundation at GarySiniseFoundation.org, which honors our defenders, veterans, first responders, their families and those in need.

Services will be held on Sunday, March 24, 2019 at 3:00 p.m. at Lake Ozark Christian Church, Lake Ozark, Missouri. The family will welcome friends for visitation beginning at 2:00 p.m. prior to the service at the church. Military honors will be held at 4:00 p.m. following the service at the Veterans Wall, Lake Memorial Gardens, Osage Beach, Missouri.