Billy Joe Bassett

Billy Joe “Bill” Bassett transitioned from his earthly home to his Heavenly home on Monday, November 6, 2023 after a short battle with cancer. He was born on Saturday, December 8, 1945 in Kilgore, TX and was the only child of Bert and Bertie Lorene Johnson.

Growing up in East Texas, Bill played baseball and graduated from Sabine High School. He then attended Stephen F. Austin University, graduating with a degree in accounting. One day while driving south of Lufkin on a sales job, Bill saw a posting for a math teacher and baseball coach for Diboll High School. Loving math and baseball, he stopped in for an interview and was hired on the spot. This developed his love of coaching baseball. After a few years at Diboll, he moved to Lumberton High School where he led the baseball team to playoffs and state championships several years in a row. With his growing family, Bill left coaching to pursue Sales, which was a natural fit given his outgoing and charming personality. He recently retired from Insperity in San Antonio.

Bill loved sports and was a faithful fan of the Dallas Cowboys, Houston Astros and LSU Tigers.

Bill’s greatest love and joy in life was spending time with his wife, Missy. Married in 1995, Bill and Missy loved doing life together. They built a home along the Guadalupe River and loved to host family and friends, taking them to Schlitterbahn, Fiesta Texas, Sea World and any Mexican restaurant that had great queso and cold beer, something he loved. They loved to travel in their RV throughout the United States and enjoyed taking cruises together, recently taking a cruise to Africa. His happiest place was on his back porch, looking over the river and spending time with the love of his life, Missy. Missy loved him unconditionally and provided him an amazing life.

Bill was a man of Faith, something he got from his mother who would read her Bible every day. In the past couple of years, Bill began reading the Bible daily and would often say, “Now I know why mom would read her Bible every day.” His family finds great comfort in knowing that he is now with his Heavenly Father.

Affectionately known as “BB” by his family and friends, he will truly be missed.

Bill was preceded in death by his parents.

Left to cherish his memory are his wife, Missy Bassett; children Bert Bassett (Maia), Brock Bassett, Brooke Dallas (Matt), Steve Maier (Suzy) and Patricia Granier (Steven); grandchildren Gaia and Eelan Bassett, Braden and Addyson Saurage, Zack Maier (Ashley), Hannah Maier Crnko (Seth), Jacob Maier, Luke Maier, Hillary Granier Gauthreaux (Corey), Amanda Granier and Mallory Granier; great grandchildren, Sophia Maier, Micah Maier and Connor Gauthreaux; extended family and numerous friends.

At BB’s request, there will not be a formal funeral service. All he wanted was a party and for his family and friends to remember him and to celebrate his amazing life.