William Anthony Basso Jr.
William Anthony Basso Jr.
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Born on December 8, 1962 in Brooklyn, New York, William was the son of Marie (Giambrone) Basso, and the late William Anthony Basso, Sr.
When William was 5 years old, the Basso family settled in Manalapan. He was a graduate of Christian Brothers Academy, class of 1980. After high school, he attended the Parsons School of Design in New York, where he received a BFA in illustration with honors. Growing up in a household where both of his parents were artists, William had a strong foundation in the arts. At the age of 26, with a love of movies and music and a strong desire to work in the film industry William relocated to Los Angeles to pursue a career as a sculptor, painter and special effects makeup artist.
William contributed his artistry to many well-known films, Edward Scissorhands, Terminator 2, Batman Returns, Jurassic Park and Interview with the Vampire among them. After working for almost twenty years in the film industry, William became focused on developing his personal artistic vision, creating mixed media works as well as taking on freelance projects, eventually returning to New Jersey. His award-winning work has been exhibited in a number of galleries around the country as well as being featured in SPECTRUM and The Society of Illustrators art annuals.
William was a loving and caring member of his family, and a friend to many. His talent and work will live on for years to come in the eyes of those who are fortunate to see it.
William was predeceased by his father, William, Sr. and is survived by his beloved mother, Marie; by his loving brother James Basso and his wife Wei; by his loving sister Marie Louise Basso; by his cherished niece Emma Basso; by his cherished nephews, Thomas Basso, Marco D'Agostino and Stefano D'Agostino; and by his many caring cousins and loving aunts and uncle.
A Funeral Mass will be held at 11:00 AM on Monday, May 8, 2023 at St. Gabriel's Historic Church located at 549 Rt 520 Marlboro, New Jersey 07746. Entombment will be in Saint Gabriel's Cemetery, Marlboro, NJ.
The family will receive friends from 2:00 PM to 6:00 PM on Sunday, May 7, 2023, at Michael Hegarty & John Vincent Scalia Home For Funerals and Cremation Service, 3377 US Highway 9, Old Bridge, New Jersey.
Online condolences may be made to the family at www.HegartyScaliaFuneralHome.com
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
John Rosengrant
April 30, 2025
I will never forget Bill. He was a tremendous Artist and all around terrific guy -I always enjoyed working with him - a true talent -which made all of us better artists
John Rosengrant
May 29, 2023
Bill was a tremendous artist and always a calming presence in the hectic world of special effects. Bill brought to his artistry a level of excellence and consistency matched by few. Bill was missed when he left Stan Winston Studio and will miss him now . My condolences to his family.
John Dellosso
May 21, 2023
So hard to believe Billy has passed; it has been so difficult to sit down to write even just a small tribute to Billy given such sadness. We shared so much together; there is not a day that goes by where I don´t have the need to reach out with an old video, a phrase or tidbit that I know he would have loved to see, interpret or just relish in the fact that we were both keeping the past alive......simpler times but so fun filled.
We were the original prank phone caller duo. We would have been locked up today for our antics. So many memories flood back. Our childhood stories are like scripts from an I Love Lucy episode......Billy as a cowboy with my sister´s jump rope, swinging and taking down the ceiling light; Billy fighting battles using old 45s (that would be worth quite a bit today) as frisbees in our basement......if the Beatles only knew; calling the local Italian pizza restaurant with the goal of getting them angry by requesting various food products on a pizza (normal today)....if lucky they would become angry and proceed to yell at us using Italian profanity; creating music with Billy singing as Jim Morrison through the core of a paper towel role; scaring the neighbors that drove by the house by rising out of a pile of leaves in the yard with a very realistic Frankenstein mask......I can go on.
A lot has been said about Billy´s artwork but words really can´t describe the skill he possessed, the eye for detail he demonstrated and the passion he embodied when he created.....all of this, but yet not once do I recall him stating or touting the level of his talent. Always humble, always kind, always willing to help others look good via his artistic strengths. That was Billy.
Billy was my friend, my cousin and most of all, my older brother. He will be sorely missed. His memory and memories of all we did and shared remain full of life in my mind. Billy loved to reminisce and I´m sure he would be pleased that our stories and "sitcom episodes" will live on.
Billy was taken from us far too soon but I am so grateful for the time we had together.
Rest in peace Bill
Jon Matthias
May 11, 2023
When I was around ten years old, his uncle Lou mentioned that myself and my brother were very much into movie making and we're creating special effects. Bill then sent a VHS tape to my house which contained behind the scenes video from Jurassic Park. Also, he included Dick Smith's book Monster Makeup which I studied and started using immediately. Although I never made it into film, I regard Bill as one of the major influences on my life just by this very small gesture. It inspired years of creativity and he still inspires me today. Great man, even better human. We lost a great one. Rest in Peace.
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Catherine Sturgeon
May 10, 2023
My heart goes out to the Basso family. Bill was an amazing artist and an even more amazing man. He may have been soft-spoken and humble, but his keen intellect, his precise and meticulous artistic genius, and his humor always shone through. He was a true gentleman, a gentle soul, and this world is left dimmer without him in it.
John Calpin
May 9, 2023
Bill was my best friend and a constant source of kindness, love and encouragement. My deepest sympathies to the entire Basso family.
Trevor Hensley
May 8, 2023
Bill was the best. I was lucky to get to work with and learn from him. He always knew how to be professional and never sacrifice his creative values. He could balance his love of breathing life into his characters and still maintain a professional attitude, all with skill and a master´s eye. He had a subdued sense of humor but could make anyone laugh, pretty much at will. I´ve never met anyone like Bill and never will...he was one of a kind.
Christian Colquhoun
May 8, 2023
Godspeed Mr. Basso. You were a lovely human, and so very talented. The world is a lesser place with your passing. You will be remembered as a kind, caring, wonderful person and an incredibly talented artist.
I was absolutely stunned to hear of your passing. Hope the next world is pleasant for you. Please rest in peace sir.
Andrew Clement
May 8, 2023
We only met a few times but I had the greatest admiration for him. I have had a framed piece of his artwork on the wall of my office for many years. I feel like he had so much more left to give. Godspeed Bill.
Ellen Dawson
May 8, 2023
No words. A very sweet man and artistic genius is gone and Andrew and I are devastated. We send our love to his family. Our home has his original pieces (and gifts) everywhere, they'll mean even more to us now. We love you and will miss you, Bill... I hope you are in the afterlife forever dancing through October shadows <3
Tamlin Barlowe
May 8, 2023
Mr. Basso would have played with us with toy dinos if he went to our grade school in Cali. Rest in sweet peace.
Lance Gilmer
May 8, 2023
Bill was... is one of most kindest people I've had the pleasure of knowing and working with. His talents were beyond compare and he earned the nickname "Softshoe Willy" with aplomb. Rest well, Bill.
Mark Viniello
May 7, 2023
No words. An amazing artist whose massive talent was only eclipsed by his character & personality.
God speed
Richard Landon
May 7, 2023
Bill was such a pleasant person, wonderful artist and solid presence on set. He contributed quality and character to everything he did.
Rob Hinderstein
May 7, 2023
He was perfect in every way. An amazing person. He will be missed.
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