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William Basinger Obituary
Des Moines
William, 86, passed away at home on Friday, May 30, 2014. A memorial service will be held at a later date. He graduated from Goldfield High School, earned a BA at Drake University and a Master's degree from the University of Iowa. Bill proudly served in the US Navy during the Korean War as a medic on the Danish hospital ship, Jetlandia. It was his experience in the Navy that led him to become a medical missionary for 12 years, six years in Japan and six years in Korea.
Bill was employed as a vocation rehabilitation counselor for the State of Iowa for many years. In his free time, he also enjoyed spending time with his family and traveling, visiting over 50 countries.
Bill will be remembered a loving husband, father and grandfather who was strong in his faith and beliefs. He lobbied for justice and peace which led him to receive the Bishop Dingman Peace Award four times. Bill was a member of Veterans For Peace, Past President of the Women's International League of Peace and Freedom, and a mason. He was a member of Knox Presbyterian Church for 24 years before becoming a devoted and beloved member of Trinity Los Americus United Methodist Church. He will be greatly missed by all who knew him.
Bill is survived by his wife of 59 years, Jean; six children, Lori (Gary) Reed, Brian (Joyce) Basinger, Denise (Mark) Stevenson, Chris Basinger, Shaun Basinger and Michael Basinger; ten grandchildren and their families, Amanda Puchreiter, Leah Fong, Tyler Reed, Michelle Decamp, Julee Basinger, Ryan Basinger, Brianne Basinger, Jamie Wilson, Lisa Ruvolo and Jesse Basinger; ten great-grandchildren and by several nieces and cousins. He was preceded in death by his parents, Byron and Ethel Basinger and a brother, Harold Basinger.
In lieu of flowers memorials may be sent to the family to be distributed to among causes dear to Bill's heart, including, Trinity Los Americus, Children and Family United Foundation, Des Moines Catholic Worker, and other peace and justice organizations.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for William Basinger
Sponsored by All of those whose lives were blessed and continue to be blessed by Bill's love, generosity, and kin.
April 9, 2016
Happy Anniversary to you and Jean! <3
June 17, 2014
Someone who has profoundly touched my life even though I never met him in person. I hope to honor his legacy by always living a life of kindness, compassion, and service to humanity just like he did. With much gratitude, thank you! Love and blessings.
Charlie Day
June 6, 2014
Bill was a truly generous and loving person. You are too, Jean. Peace and love, Charlie
Kathy Ferguson
June 5, 2014
What a wonderful person Bill was - a remarkable example of a life of caring and service. He will be missed by many.
joanna russell
June 5, 2014
May the Peace of OUR lord be with the family. an amazing family he that he raised,he made sure they knew our Lord. Blessed is the peace maker.
June 4, 2014
Dear Jean, I am so sorry for your loss of Bill's companionship and partnership. I will always remember his warm spirit and commitment to peace and justice. Both of you have been a joy to know and share mutual causes and celebration. He overcome so much that it seemed he would go on forever. It was a shock when Meliss told me he had passed on. It was him who usually passed the cup and offered the New Years toasts so well received by your guests. In his memory and with a dedication to carry on his ideals I offer this toast to Bill. Sharon Gradischnig, Kansas City, MO
June 4, 2014
Jean, Rita Hohenshell was my mother. She spoke VERY highly of you and Bill. She had great respect for both of you. Bill will missed. With much sympathy, Kim Clingman
Mary Ann Koch
June 4, 2014
Bill was a great man and will continue to be an inspiration to many of us. I am sure that "the heavens are rejoicing!"
Ismael Hossein-zadeh
June 3, 2014
Bill was an inspiration and a role model in the service of peace, justice and human dignity. He left behind a legacy to be cherished and followed by all those who are striving for a superior civilization to what is currently available.
June 3, 2014
Dear Jean our my condolences go out to you and your family. Bill was a very special person.
Stephanie Murry
June 3, 2014
I want to extend my condolences to you and your family in the passing of your husband. While I didn't know him, he sounds like a special person.
Ellen Kitchens, Ohio
June 3, 2014
Jean, we send love and prayers to you during this sad time of loss. Bill was a special person. Our support Srs. Laurinda and Doris Midlothian, Illinois
Randy and Sue Rice
June 2, 2014
We want to celebrate with you Bill's wonderful life of giving of himself in courage, humor, peace and justice wherever he was living. We will always remember Bill in the Monday Night Group as the rabble rouser with his big guffaw laugh and cheery smile! Our thoughts and prayers are with all the family that surround him at this time. Randy and Sue Rice, Lincoln, Vermont
June 2, 2014
Dear Jean and family,
I am so sorry for your loss. You and your
family can be very proud of Bill.
Love, Donna Sutherland
Vince and Betty Vanden Heuvel
June 2, 2014
Dear Jean,
We are so shocked to hear about Bill's death. It seems like just yesterday that we were sharing big hugs at Mt. St. Francis. We are saddened to lose our dear friend. We will ALWAYS remember you both as fellow travelers to Ft. Benning. We are praying for you, Jean. Know we walk with you. Fondly, Vince and Betty Vanden Heuvel, Franciscan Associates
Carol O'Roake
June 2, 2014
He will truly be missed for his great sense of humor & faith! God Bless you all!
Don and Roberta Thurstin Timmerman
June 2, 2014
Jean, We are sorry for your loss, but we all know that his spirit lives and hopefully will reach the hearts of all.
Sister Carole Freking, OSF
June 2, 2014
Jean and family, How we Franciscans feel the loss of Bill's courageous commitment to Christian values!!! And we know your loss is magnified many times! He now is in a place where he has new powers to continue his ministry of peace and justice. What a GREAT LIFE OF LOVE he lived!! God will bless him as only a God can!
June 2, 2014
We all have a charge now to continue on as Bill would want us to do...justice and peace
June 2, 2014
Jean, I am inspired by your husband and so sorry for your loss. God Bless you and yours.
A Fellow Associate,
Sarah Reindl
Joe Taschetta
June 2, 2014
Jean, I'm so sorry to hear of Bill's passing. I have such fond memories of you two. God bless him and may peace be with you and your family. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
June 2, 2014
Jean, you have my deepest sympathy and I ask our loving God to hold you and your family closely! Anne Wandrey
Patricia Connell
June 2, 2014
Dear Jean,
I was so very sorry to hear of Bill's death; a tragic loss for you, you family, your community and the wider community--Franciscans, etc. He did so much good in the world; he will surely be missed. My deep sympathy and love, Patricia
Phil Runkel
June 2, 2014
Jean:
My deepest sympathy on the loss of Bill. He was a great peacemaker and good person. I'm so glad our paths crossed.
Mary Lou Pedersen
June 2, 2014
Dear Bill, Thank you for all the good and beauty you brought to our world.
Marybeth and Bill Gardam
June 1, 2014
Bill was a good man who knew that actions speak louder than words. His life was an inspiration. He never failed to offer warm encouragement and friendship. We were lucky to know him.
Sarah Workman
June 1, 2014
Lori - never had the honor of meeting your father but enjoyed the stories you used to tell regarding your remarkable parents. Never easy to lose one we love so much. May your faith and memories comfort you.
Pat Lenning
June 1, 2014
So very sorry for your loss, thinking of all of you at this time. May your memories comfort you.
Cassandra Amesley
June 1, 2014
I just heard. We have lost one of the great men of the 20th century. I will personally miss him very much. My thoughts are with you, Jean ... do let me know if there is anything I can do. Love, Cassandra
Sarah Errington
June 1, 2014
Bill a hero and an inspiration who has helped and brought hope and joy to so many lives. RIP dear friend our lives across the pond are so greatly enriched by knowing you. Deepest sympathy and love to Jean and the family. From Sarah and David
Ruth O'Neill
June 1, 2014
Jean, I am so sorry that you have lost our beloved Bill. You and he are always such a joy to spend time with. I will miss him and his kindness, is gentle strength and the peace he brought with him everywhere, even to places where he was confronting injustice. He had a beautiful spirit and lived a wonderful life. My thoughts and prayers are with you at this time.
Frances Schenk-Newman
June 1, 2014
He was an inspiration to many and will be missed by every soul he touched all around the world. R.I.P
Frances J. Schenk-Newman
(San Mateo, CA. Formerly of Tokyo, Japan)
Liesl Hohenshell
May 31, 2014
Jean, I am so very sorry to learn of the loss of Bill. He is a wonderful soul. With my sympathies,
May 31, 2014
R.I.P. WILLIAM ADAM BASINGER. YOU ARE MISSED...
Edward Flaherty
May 31, 2014
Bill was a hero and an inspiration.
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