Col. William R. Bass

Wednesday, April 25, 1934 - Wednesday, October 4, 2023

Col. William R. Bass, C.A.P., Retired of Hartford passed away Wednesday, October 4, 2023 at his home.  He was 89. 

Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, October 12, 2023 in the chapel of Sorrells Funeral Home in Slocomb.  Interment will follow in the Memory Hill Cemetery. 

The family will receive friends at the funeral home Thursday from 9:00 a.m. until service time. 

Mr. Bass was born April 25, 1934 in Houston County to the late Noah Buford and Nita Clyde Brannon Bass.  Bill served his country honorably in the United States Navy. Following his military service, he worked many years at Cape Canaveral – Kennedy Space Center in support and management positions during the early years of the space and shuttle programs. His love for flight led to his pursuit of his pilot’s license and a BS in Aeronautical Engineering from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. For 75 years, Bill’s lifetime calling was with the Civil Air Patrol to which he dedicated countless hours and served at several levels of command, ultimately as Vice Commander of the Alabama Wing and Commander of the Florida Wing.  His many awards earned are testimony to his intense dedication to C.A.P.; however, overshadowing all of his earthly accomplishments was the salvation and forgiveness he found in his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. 

In addition to his parents, a brother, Glen Dale Bass; and wife, Mary Burns Bass all preceded him in death. 

Survivors include daughters: Vicky Lee Dawson, Linda Kay Lee, Cynthia Rae Fix, and Katherine Marie McCormick; eight grandchildren; sixteen great grandchildren sister, Linda Fay Laugen; brother, Leon Lamar Bass; 1st wife, Joan Marie Rewalt Bass; other extended family and friends.