William Daniel "Dan" Basham

1945 - 2025

William Daniel "Dan" Basham, 79 of Ostrander, Ohio, left his Earthly Home on the evening of Wednesday, April 2, 2025, at his residence with his loving family by his side.

Born July 27, 1945, in Columbus, Ohio, the son of the late Bill and Ruby (Bryant) Basham. Dan grew up in Sunbury, Ohio. Dan was part of the first graduating class of Buckeye Valley High School in 1964.

After graduation, Dan worked for Matlack Trucking, B&L Trucking and drove for PPG. Dan spent most of his adult life as a union truck driver and activist with Teamsters Local 413 in Columbus, Ohio. He has driven over one million miles in trucks in his life with a spotless record.

Dan was asked by his Local 413 to work as an organizer and was very successful helping nonunion workers form their own unions in multiple industries. Dan was very involved with the Teamsters Reform Movement that worked day and night to oust the mob influence from his Teamster Union nationally which also was a highlight of Dan's union career. He was asked to work for Ron Carey the newly elected President of The IBT at the Teamsters International Headquarters in Washington, D.C. Dan was very successful at his work. During most of the 1990's Dan worked as international organizer for Ron Carey at the International Brotherhood of Teamsters. Dan also worked for Ron Carey in his critical Field Services Department which was responsible for mobilizing members on many national strikes and contract campaigns such as the 1997 UPS strike, the 1998 Master Freight Strike, Budweiser Master Agreement and the Master Carhaul contract campaign and many more of which were all winners for union members.

After a very impressive career at the Teamsters International Dan was asked in February of 2000 to go to work for President Richard Trumka at the National AFL-CIO in Washington, D.C. as an International Organizer. Dan's career took him by planes, trains and automobiles to every corner of the United States where he was admired for his service by leadership and membership alike. Dan retired in 2012 after a lifetime of service to union membership.

Dan also served as a mounted police officer for Delaware County for several years.

Dan is survived by his loving wife of 31 years Betty Basham; sons Randy (Kim) Basham and Ricky (Michelle) Basham; step-children Bill (Amber) Camp and Barb Torchia; grandchildren Kraig (Skylar) Votaw, Miquela Basham; Madison (Alek) O'Connor; Nick Cline; Ashtyn Ross; great-grandson Kolson Votaw; great-granddaughters Kyleigh and Kamryn Emmert; brother Bernard (Mary) Basham; sister Shelby (William) Tudor; numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents and brother Cliff Basham.

Dan was a man of faith and attended the Dublin Baptist Church for over 11 years. When he wasn't working, he enjoyed being outdoors. Dan enjoyed hunting, salmon fishing in Michigan, camping and traveling throughout the United States. He was a proud patriot and loved visiting historical places within the country with his wife, Betty. Those close to Dan, remember him as the loving, caring, faithful and sometimes ornery, husband, father, grandfather and brother.

Jim King will officiate a service celebrating the significance of Dan's Life at 1 p.m. Monday, April 7, 2025, at the Snyder Funeral Center, 101 Valleyside Drive, Delaware, Ohio 43015, where friends and family may call from 11 a.m. until the time of the service. Burial will follow at Mill Creek Cemetery in Ostrander. Following the service and burial, friends and relatives can join them at the Scioto Township Community Hall at the local fire department on Ostrander Road.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Dan's name may be made to ViaQuest Hospice, 171 Morey Drive, Suite B, Marysville, OH 43040. Their care and compassion for Dan helped get the family through their time of need.

Memories and condolences may be expressed at www.snyderfuneralhomes.com. The Snyder Funeral Center in Delaware is assisting the family with arrangements.