Basil Clyde Killingbeck

Basil C. Killingbeck, of Frederick, formerly of Longmont, died March 6, 2007 at his home. He was 84 years old.Basil was born June 20, 1922 in Romulus, Michigan, to John F. and Agnes Marie (Mills) Killingbeck. After graduating from Romulus high school in 1940, he joined the U.S. Navy and served aboard the USS Hyman during WWII. Upon his honorable discharge in 1946, Basil returned to Michigan where he began his career as a tool and die maker and machinist. He worked for several years with the Puralator Company in Michigan. He later worked with McDonald-Douglas in California and was particularly proud of his contributions to the MD-11 aircraft.On March 1, 1947, Basil married Doris Jean Krebs in Wayne, Michigan. The couple made their home in Michigan until moving to California in 1958. The couple lived in California and Colorado for many years until finally settling in Longmont in 1970. Doris died December 16, 1994.Mr. Killingbeck married Judy Whitaker Vasquez on August 5, 2000 in Firestone. The couple has made their home in Frederick.Basil enjoyed working with his hands and was known to have several projects going at once. From the birdhouses he created in his workshop, to his many home remodeling projects, Mr. Killingbeck?s talents as a woodworker and builder benefited those who knew him. He was also a member of the Lafayette VFW Mile High Post 1771.He is survived by his wife, Judy Killingbeck of Frederick; a son, Andrew Killingbeck and his wife Irene of Mead; two step-sons, Tony Vasquez and his wife, Liz, of Sacramento, California, and Tim Vasquez of Firestone; two daughters, Lynn Wilson and her husband, David, of Corona, California, and Kathy Lee Williamson of West Richland, Washington; two step-daughters, Kellie Tuiono and her husband, Ula, of Salt Lake City, Utah, and Kelly Dawson and her husband, Scott, of Firestone; and a sister, Ona Jean Hill of North Carolina. He is further survived by 13 grandchildren and 3 great grandchildren.Basil was preceded in death by his parents; his first wife, Doris; a son, Robert Owen Killingbeck; an infant step-daughter, Betty Joe Vasquez; two brothers, John Below Killingbeck and Bane Mills Killingbeck; and two sisters, Opal Cline and Yvonne Rupert. Cremation arrangements have been entrusted to Howe Mortuary, Longmont. Memorial services will be held at 2:00 p.m., Friday, March 9, 2007 at the Howe Mortuary Chapel, with Deacon Leon Dawson officiating.Memorial donations may be made to American Diabetes Association Colorado Affiliate, 2480 W. 26th Ave., Suite 120B, Denver, CO 80211. Please share your thoughts, memories and condolences with the family at www.howemortuary.com.