Basil Wofford

Basil Wofford, a pipeliner, dog-lover, hard-working man, and beloved husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather, died on October 25 at his home in Odessa, Texas, with his bride of 66 years holding his hand. Basil was 88.

Basil Wofford was born on December 17, 1925 in Florence, Arizona, the second son of Grace and Wesley Wofford. From a young age, Basil was a hard worker. While still in grade school, he had a newspaper delivery route, delivering 50 pounds of newspapers each morning from his bike along an 11 mile route. He met his beloved future wife Billie Gulledge when they were college students in Flagstaff, Arizona and the two married in 1947. He graduated from Arizona State College at Flagstaff in 1951 with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration.

Basil was part of the Greatest Generation, joining the Navy at the age of 16 and serving four years as a gunner on several armed guard vessels in the South Pacific during World War II. He was awarded the American Campaign Medal, Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal, and the World War II Victory Medal.

After college, Basil began a 16 year career with the El Paso Natural Gas Company (EPNG) as a “pipeliner” working as a field account in the Construction Department across the Southwest and Northwest. Basil, Billie, and their three children followed the pipeline projects living in a number of towns in Arizona, Idaho, New Mexico, Utah, and Washington. While living in northern New Mexico, there were many enjoyable family vacations spent camping in southern Colorado wading rivers and cooking outdoors.

After leaving EPNG, Basil worked for Ref-Chem in Odessa from the late 1960’s to the early 1980’s in accounting positions. He had a second career in cranes and concrete, working for Petrolift and FCI. He continued to work hard until he retired at age 75.

Basil is survived by Billie, his wife of 66 years; son Lee and his wife Nancy of Camarillo, California; daughter Ann and her husband Jesse of El Paso, Texas; son Basil Alan and Tamra Parrott of Odessa, Texas; grandchildren Wesley Wofford (wife Erin) of Belfast, Maine, Teddy Wofford (wife Dawn and sons Ted and Titus) of Camarillo, California, Zachary Allen (wife Darby) of Houston, Texas, Byron Allen of Sydney, Australia, Alice Allen (son Michael and daughter Cory) of Odessa, Texas, and Basil Alan Wofford II of Odessa, Texas (daughter Stormy of Brownwood, Texas).

Basil liked to laugh, tell jokes, and kid around with family and friends. He was happiest when he had a project; he took care of all the house and car repairs himself including replacing the roof. He loved little kids and every dog that crossed his path. He spent hours hitting soft balls to his children and neighborhood kids in Aztec, New Mexico so they could practice catching fly balls. He loved Billie and his family and worked hard, long hours to provide for them. And he loved ice cream.

The family asks that in lieu of flowers, friends and family honor Basil's memory by contributing their time or money as frequently as possible to random acts of kindness - buy a meal, stop to change a tire, lend a shoulder or an ear - always asking the recipients of their kindnesses to "pay it forward" by extending similar kindnesses to others. Your contributions to the Alzheimer’s Association will also honor Basil.

Visitation will be held on Wednesday, October 29, 2014 at 6:00 to 8:00 pm. at Hubbard-Kelly Funeral Home. All are invited to come and share their memories of Basil.