Ray Hudson Bass

Ray H. Bass, of Hermitage, Tennessee, passed away peacefully in his home in the early morning hours of the 18th of November 2025. A beloved father, husband, uncle, brother, and friend, he will be deeply missed.

Born to parents Aaron and Ellen Frances Bass in Watertown, Wilson County, Tennessee, Ray was the first of three siblings. He and his two brothers (Donald and Bobby) proudly attended Watertown High School (that is, "Watertown University", as Ray referred to it) before each settling in the Hermitage-Old Hickory area where they spent most of their adult lives.

A man of understated intelligence as well as diverse skill sets and interests, Ray's professional career included forays in banking, accounting,real estate, and manufacturing. Compared to the professional, his personal interests and hobbies were no less broad. He enjoyed cards, dominos, square dancing, clay shooting, bird hunting, long Sunday drives, cooking authentic southern cuisine, dry-witty humor, Commodore football, coffee with his brothers, and almost any other activity which brought him into the company of good people. Also, as an avid reader in his later years, he enjoyed swapping titles with his grandchildren - and finishing said titles before they could. Contemporaneously, a love of Christ led him to a life of service - in missions for the Southern Baptist Church and community betterment with the Lions Club. He was a member of Hermitage Hills Baptist Church for over fifty years. He was known to many and beloved by all who knew him.

Sharp, playful, witty, and remaining eager to soak up each valuable moment until his final days, Ray's body had persisted for as long as it could - staving off the cancer with which it was encumbered. On the evening of the 17th ?, as Ray had previously confided in his daughter, he prayed for the Lord to take him - to bring him home, into God's peace. Ever faithful, God answered his humble prayer later that night.

Ray is predeceased by his aforementioned parents as well as his two younger brothers. His first wife (Billie Loretta Bass) also predeceased Ray in 2003 after her own fight with cancer - all too soon. Ray is, however, survived by his lovely and gentle wife of almost twenty years, Bonnie, whom he loved dearly. He is also survived by his two children - Amanda B. Stephens and Kevin Bass - his step-son and step-daughter - Ricky Roberts and Lorianne Proffitt as well as his grandsons - Alex Stephens and Brian Stephens -his great-grandchildren - Caroline, Grayson, Seanna, and Hayes- and -his step-granddaughters-Sarah Shell and Jackie Faulk. All of whom loved and adored him, almost as much as he loved them.

With teary eyes from his absence but with warmed hearts from his loving memory, we will think of him daily. We remain (in humble hope) that we will be able to visit with him again soon - each in our own time.

Visitation will be held on Sunday, Nov. 23, 2025 from 2-4 p.m. at Hunter Funeral Home in Watertown and Tuesday, Nov. 25, 2025 from 10 a.m. till Noon at Hermitage Hills Baptist Church with memorial service to follow with Dr. Poly Rouse officiating. Mr. Bass had chosen cremation and interment services will be at 1 p.m. Tuesday at Hermitage Memorial Gardens and at 3 p.m. Tuesday at Hunter Memorial Park in Watertown.