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William Bassett


William “Bill” Bassett, Ph.D., 94, of Uvalde died on May 31, 2020, at his residence in Uvalde.

Bassett was born in Greenville on Aug. 10, 1925, to Pansy (Greer) and James Bassett. He grew up in Amarillo. Towards the end of his high school years, the family moved to Austin and he started attending the Presbyterian church youth group where he met his future bride, Betty Robisher.

He served in the U.S. Navy during War World II, enlisting in 1943 and ending his service in 1946.

After returning home from the war, Bassett attended Austin College in Sherman where he reunited with Betty and married her on Dec. 26, 1948. The two were married for almost 67 years. He graduated from Austin College with a Bachelor of Science degree in business in 1948.

In 1949, he was hired as a teacher for students with learning and behavioral problems at Sherman High School and worked with the probation office, juvenile court, and families as an advocate for youth. According to the family, he always loved helping people, especially young adults.

He continued working with high school and college students as a teacher, dorm parent and principal throughout Texas, Arkansas, Kentucky and Missouri.

While living in Kingsville and working at Presbyterian Pan American School, Basset and his wife, Betty, had two daughters, Sarah and Nancy.

They moved to Arkansas in 1970, and in 1976 he received a Doctor of Education degree in counseling from the University of Arkansas. He then worked with a residential treatment facility, a juvenile probation office and juvenile state prisons, as well as became a pastor at a local church. The family said he had a heart to love and help people.

In 1979, Bassett and his family moved to Uvalde, where he served as a counselor for One in Christ Ministries. From 1987 to 1993, he served as the pastor of the First Christian Church in Uvalde.

In 1993, he retired from full-time employment but continued to counsel people from his home. According to the family, he was still a pastor and counselor at heart. The family said that Bassett, along with his wife, will always be remembered for their loving and caring natures, as they would do anything for anyone, their faith in the Lord, and the way they loved the Lord with their whole hearts.

He is survived by two daughters, Nancy Cargil and husband, Steve, of Uvalde, and Sarah Wilkerson and husband, Brock, of Boerne; seven grandchildren, Ryan Cargil and wife, Brittney, Taylor Bakke and husband, Michael, Courtney Cargil, Kirby Fox and husband, John, Madison Wilkerson, Corbin Cargil and Whitley Wilkerson; and one great-granddaughter, Brighton Bakke.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Betty; both parents; and two brothers, James Bassett and Clarence Bassett.

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