Eugene Wayne Bass, 83, of Waldron, Arkansas, passed away in his home on March 10, 2023. Born August 5, 1939 in Smackover, Arkansas to the late BC and Susie Williamson Bass, his childhood habit of following his father like a mosquito earned him the life-long nickname “Skeeter.”
After a knee injury ended his college football career, Wayne returned to Arkansas and received a degree in Secondary Education from Henderson State University in Arkadelphia.
Wayne coached High School football and track in Little Rock then oversaw the manufacture of poultry production equipment in Russellville before joining the Arkansas Farm Bureau. He retired as Agency Manager of Scott County Farm Bureau in 2008. Wayne never stopped coaching. He attended every sporting event where his children then grandchildren participated in addition to recitals, concerts, honors events, graduations, and other ceremonies. He demonstrated his love for Christ in the example he set as a present Husband, Father, Grandfather and Great Grandfather.
Wayne was a Christian and of the Baptist faith. He attended Temple Baptist in Waldron. After becoming a deacon in his early 30’s, Wayne served three different church families faithfully in every capacity from leading Pulpit Committees and teaching Bible classes to mowing the church lawn or serving snow cones at socials. He quietly assisted many who needed help they couldn’t afford and often couldn’t express.
Wayne is survived by his wife of 61 years, Laura, of the home; his sons, Clyde and wife, Michelle, of Fayetteville, Arkansas and Roy and wife, Delena, of Fort Smith, Arkansas; 6 grandchildren, Haley Gilliam and husband Blake of Conway, Arkansas, Houston Bass of Fayetteville, Arkansas, Rebecca Sparks and husband Zach of Fort Smith, Arkansas, Sophia Bass of Fayetteville, Arkansas, Chynna Bass of Fayetteville, Arkansas and Emily Bass and fiancé Aidan Doss of Fort Smith, Arkansas; 3 great grandchildren, Rylee Sparks, David Sparks and Nora Gilliam; many friends and nephews and nieces.
Wayne was preceded in death by his parents, brother, Bill Bass, sister, Betty Heffington and nephews, Jeff and Randy Bass.
The family expresses a heartfelt thank you to Dr. Nathan Bennett for taking such exceptional care of Wayne over the years as well as his recent caregivers at hospice who have been such a blessing and support to Wayne and Laura. The family also expresses a special thank you to Sharon Earls for her care, kindness and helping hands.
A memorial service will be held on March 18, 2023 at 2pm at Temple Baptist in Waldron, Arkansas. A burial will be at a later date. Arrangements are being entrusted to the Heritage Memorial Funeral Home and Crematory.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to The Gideons International or Gentiva Hospice.
