SMITHVILLE, Mo. — Lewis L. Basye, 73, of Smithville, Mo., passed away May 8. Born Sept. 21, 1940, in Kanopolis, he was the son of Richard and Velma (Anderson) Basye.  He grew up in Claflin and graduated from Claflin High School. He then served his country in the United States Air Force as a B-52 Crew Chief during the Vietnam War. On May 6, 1967, he was united in marriage to Roberta Marie Demel at St. John’s Catholic Church in Hoisington. After their marriage they lived in Kansas City and in 1979 they moved to Smithville, Mo., where they made their home. His wife Roberta passed away Sept. 15, 2004. He was employed by TWA and retired from American Airlines. He also had his own catering business and was active in the American Royal and Great American Barbeque Committees.   
Mr. Basye was a member of the American Legion Post #58 in Smithville, Mo. He was an active member of Local #1650 Machinist Union and the Democratic Committee.  
Survivors include two sons Derrick Basye and Brian Basye; six grandchildren Noah, Lexie, Caleb, Carli, Ashlyn, and Nathen; brothers Richard Basye and wife Joyce, Ronnie Basye and wife Judy, Denis Basye and Garland Basye; sisters Janice Martin and husband Doug and Janet Stephens and husband Bob; sisters-in-law Eileen Basye and husband Jim, Mary Ellen Bowman and husband Larry, Rita Seyfert and husband Kevin; special friend Vicki Hudson; numerous nieces and nephews, other relatives and many friends. He was also preceded in death by his parents; brothers Marvin Basye, Del Basye, and Jim Basye; and sister Roxanne Basye.
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Thursday  at the Hixson-Klein Funeral Home, 104 Church Street, in Smithville, Mo. Burial with Military Honors will be held at Mt. Moriah Terrace Park, Mo. Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m. on Wednesday at the funeral home.
    
Funeral arrangements provided by
Hixson-Klein Funeral Home*
PO Box 167
Gower, Mo. 64454
Great Bend (Kan) Tribune, May 13, 2014