John James William "Bill" Bascue

John James William “Bill” Bascue, 101, of Warrenton, died Thursday, June 9, 2011, in Warrenton.

He was born Sept. 13, 1909, in Lock Springs, Mo., to Allen O. and Mary M. (Gann) Bascue.

He attended schools in Amity, Mo., and worked on diary farms as a young child.

In 1931, he married Joyce Alice Wright. She preceded him in death in 1988.

In 1989, he married Paulette Sprague. She preceded him in death in 1991.

In 1995, he married Lillie Alexander. She preceded him in death in 2005.

Mr. Bascue owned and operated a gas station and a restaurant in Clarksdale, Mo. He then owned and operated a doughnut shop in St. Joseph, Mo., for a period of time. In 1953, he began working for Wire Rope Corp. of America in St. Joseph as a supervisor, and retired from there after more than 20 years of employment. Because of ill health, he began living with his granddaughter in St. Joseph five years ago, and moved with her to Warrenton 18 months ago.

Family members said his hobbies included fishing, gardening and woodworking.

He is survived by a son and daughter-in-law, Dale and Diane Bascue of Mabelvale, Ark.; a daughter, Alice Brown of St. Joseph; a granddaughter and spouse, Debbie and Lauren Conrady of Warrenton; a daughter-in-law, Anna Ciel of Gladstone, Mo.; eight grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; and five great-great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by a son, James Allen Bascue, in 1994; and nine siblings.

A private graveside service and memorial will be held at Memorial Gardens Cemetery in St. Joseph.

Caldwell’s Luce-Layton Mortuary in Astoria is in charge of the arrangements.