Gayle Bass

Gayle Bass, 72, a lifetime resident of Bell County, passed from this life, peacefully surrounded by his family, Friday, May 27, 2016 after a long battle with cancer. Gayle was born in Killeen, Texas to Bert Bass and Dora Barnes Bass. He had one brother Jimmy Tom Bass. He married his high school sweetheart, Carol Lynn Woods, on September 3, 1961. Together they had two sons, Bert Bass and Bart Bass.
Gayle's life revolved around his family, which he loved with all his heart. That love was reciprocated by all his kids and their kids and the great grandchildren. He never met a stranger and was loved by all. He was a hardworking man but also knew how to have fun. He loved fishing, camping, boating, skiing, motorcycles and racing of any kind. He passed this love on to his sons and these things were always done with his family. This love has also been passed on to his grandchildren and great grandchildren. He had a special way with all animals. They immediately loved him, which is a Bass trait. There were many furry friends through the years.
Gayle had many trades in his life. He was a Master Plumber, truck driver, contractor and heavy equipment operator. He retired from the City of Killen after 12 years of service in the positions of inspector and supervisor with the street department. He taught may employees how to run the equipment. After retirement he joined the family business, Bass Building Corp. He was affectionately known as MacGyver as he could do anything and solve any problem with the items he had at hand.
His passion was leather working. He was an expert craftsman at making custom leather items with a specialty in custom gun holsters. He was a member of the National Rifle Association and a gunsmith. He loved firearms and knives of all kinds which earned him the title as the Texas version of "Crocodile Dundee".
Gayle was preceded in death by his parents Bert Bass and Dora Barnes Bass, and one brother, Jimmy Tom Bass. His legacy lives on in sons Bert Bass and wife Pam; Bart Bass and wife Angelia; his grandchildren, Justin Bass, Tatum Millsap and husband Billy, Brittany Bass, Weston Bass, Chance Riehl and wife Shelley, and Callee Dorman and husband Daryl. He has also been blessed with great grandchildren Laramie Millsap, Trinity Millsap, Jace Riehl, Truitt Riehl and Bennett Riehl. He also had many loved nieces and nephews and cousins.
The family will hold visitation on Tuesday, May 31, 2016 from 6:00 -8:00 at Harper Talasek Funeral Home in Killeen, Texas. A celebration of Gayle's life will be held Wednesday, June 1, 2016 at 10:00am in the Harper Talasek Funeral Home Chapel in Killeen with Boyce Edwards officiating. Interment will follow at the Killeen City Cemetery.

Visitation

HarperTalasek Chapel
506 N. 38th Street
Killeen, TX  76543
Tuesday, May 31, 2016
6-8 PM

Service

Funeral Service

HarperTalasek Funeral Home
506 N 38th St
Killeen, TX  76543
Wednesday, June 1, 2016
10:00 AM

Cemetery

Killeen City Cemetery
2800 E. Rancier Ave
Killeen, TX  76543