Basil Maggart Jr.

Basil "Butch" Maggart, Jr.
Lake of the Ozarks - Basil "Butch" Maggart Jr., known to some as "Basie," 59, of Lake of the Ozarks, Missouri, reeled in his final catch on August 10, 2025, after a valiant fight with health complications. Born in Alton, Illinois, in 1966, Butch was the cherished son of the late Basil Laverne "Butch" Maggart Sr. and Carol Sue Grable.
Basie was a one-of-a-kind character, a wheeler-dealer whose charm and quick wit could spark a deal or a laugh in any corner of the lake. Living in a cozy cabin at Lake of the Ozarks with his wife, Cathy, he was the camp's unsung hero, always pitching in to help the owner with projects-whether patching up a dock or tinkering with whatever needed fixing. His faithful dogs, Maggie and Willie, were his constant companions, trailing him through the camp with wagging tails and boundless loyalty. His love for the water shone through in moments spent chasing catfish along the mighty Mississippi or reeling in largemouth bass in the shimmering depths of Lake of the Ozarks, where fishing was his sanctuary and stories were his currency. From Alton to the Ozarks, Basie's spirit and colorful tales left a lasting mark on all who knew him.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Basil "Butch" Laverne Maggart Sr. and Carol Sue Grable; his mother-in-law, Bonnie R. Ballmann; and his father-in-law, Frederick "Fritz" Ballmann.
Among his survivors are his beloved wife, Catherine C. Maggart, of Lake of the Ozarks, MO; his stepmother, Sharon Maggart, of Godfrey, IL; his siblings, Lisa Isom (husband Robert), of Godfrey, IL, Brock Maggart, of Sullivan, MO, Anthony Maggart (wife Jenesa), of Elsah, IL, Mary Maggart (husband Tom Horstman), of Godfrey, IL, and Christl Klockenkemper (husband Jim), of Godfrey, IL; and a wide circle of aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends who will carry his memory like a treasured lure.
A celebration of life will be held on Saturday, September 6th from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. at Marthasville Legion in Marthasville, MO. In lieu of flowers, the family encourages you to cast a line for a catfish or bass in Basie's honor or lend a hand to a neighbor.