William Howard Basham Jr.

William Howard Basham, Jr., 91, passed away peacefully on March 7, 2025, surrounded by his devoted wife and son, Anne and Rob, along with his care team in his home in Palm Beach Gardens, FL. Bill, as he was fondly known, was born on September 18, 1933 in Prenter, WV to Howard and Eula Basham. After an odyssey across America during the war years, his family eventually settled in Wayne, MI. Bill attended and graduated from Wayne High School. In 1954, Bill met his future wife, Anne. After dating for a year, the two married in 1955. And, in 1962, they welcomed their first son, Robert. Five years later, they welcomed their second son, David. In 1963, Bill graduated from Cleary University with a degree in Business Administration. Bill and Anne would relocate their family to Sudbury, MA in 1968. Bill enjoyed a successful career spanning from his first job at Ford Motors (Wayne, MI) through his final management position many years later, from Raytheon (Sudbury, Wayland, Bedford, Marlborough, MA locations). In 2012, Bill and Anne started wintering in Palm Beach Gardens, FL and finally became full-time residents in 2023. He was an avid golfer who enjoyed playing golf with friends and family whenever the opportunity was presented. One of the thrills of his life was when he and his two brothers played the Old Course St. Andrews in Scotland. It was always with pride that he retold the story of when of the Course Starter called “Mr. Basham, Mr. Basham and Mr. Basham, please go to the first tee.” It was a milestone moment in his life to be playing at the citadel of golf with his brothers. Bill and his wife Anne are life-long devout Christians. They have been members of the Trinitarian Congregational Church of Wayland since 1972. His faith was a key part of his daily life, expressed through his self-reflection and reading the Bible. In addition to attending Sunday services, Bill has been a long-time member of the Saturday Men’s Bible Study and served many duties at the church. Bill is survived by his loving wife of 70 years, Elizabeth Anne Basham (Palm Beach Gardens, FL & Sudbury, MA) and his dedicated son, Robert M. Basham (Palm Beach Gardens, FL). Bill is also survived by multiple generations of beloved nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his son, David E. Basham; his parents Howard and Eula Basham; his sister Patricia Van Meter; and his brothers Norman Basham and Ron Basham. Close to his heart were his extended family of in-laws; Thurma Triplitt (Stevensville, MI); Betty & Troy Ellington (deceased); Don Hess (deceased); Pat & Paul Cousins (deceased); Wally & Sharon Steward (Pinckney, MI); Mona Messenger (Guntersville, AL); Richard Rippee (deceased) & Barbra Rippee (Jackson, MI); Dona and Larry Zuckerman (Marco Island, FL & Sylvan Lake, MI); and Raylene Izak (Wyandotte, MI). In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation in Bill’s Memory to the Prostate Cancer Foundation https://cure.pcf.org/site/Donation or to the Trinitarian Congregational Church of Wayland, MA https://www.tccwayland.org/giving Graveside services will be held at a later date.

William Howard Basham Jr.

September 18, 1933 - March 7, 2025