Bass Sr., Billy Harold 


GILMER -- Services for Billy Harold Bass Sr., 78, of Gilmer, will be held 2 p.m. Sunday, March 19, 2006, at Union Hill High School Gymnasium in Union Hill, with the Reverend Ross Hyde officiating. Mr. Bass passed away Tuesday, March 14, 2006, in Tyler. Mr. Bass was born April 7, 1927, in Wood County, to John E. and Vanona Paralee Hallonquist Bass. Mr. Bass graduated from East Texas State in Commerce. He was a teacher and coach for 29 years and a principal for two years at Union Hill School before his retirement. He was a member of Bettie United Methodist Church, a 50-year Mason, and an avid fisherman. Mr. Bass served his country in the U.S. Navy at the end of World War II. Mr. Bass is survived by his wife, Codell Bass of Gilmer; three sons, Billy Harold Bass Jr. of Tyler, David C. Bass of Quitman, and John A. Bass of Gilmer; two daughters, Zelma "Sissy" Bass of Gilmer, and Mary Strader of Allen; brother, Richard David Bass of Chandler, Arizona; 24 grandchildren; 19 great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandchild. He was preceded in death by his parents; brother, J.D. Bass; sister, Ella Mae Bradley; and a great-granddaughter. Pallbearers will be Don Earle, Casey Earle, Tommy Clement, David Bass Jr., Joseph Bass, Garrett Bass, and Zachary Bass. Honorary pallbearers will be Tom Frank Parish, G.B. Clark, Billy Driggers, Bob Fulsom, Johnny Bass, Joe D. Bass, and Hodge Clark. Visitation will be 6-8 p.m. Saturday, March 18, 2006, at Croley Funeral Home in Gilmer. The family requests memorial donations be made to the Methodist Children's Home, 1111 Herring Ave., Waco., TX 76708.

Published in the Longview News-Journal on 3/17/2006.