Claibourne W. Bass

Claibourne Watkins Bass, 78, passed away November 13 in Fayetteville. He was born December 14, 1939 in Little Rock, Arkansas to Walter Richard Bass and Mildred Walker Bass. He graduated from Little Rock Central High School in 1957. Clay joined the U.S. Air Force in March of 1962, and he served during the Cuban missile crisis at Little Rock AFB. As a young man Clay was involved with the Boy Scouts of America, attaining the rank of Eagle Scout in 1956. He also served as Troop leader of Boy Scout Troop 1 in the Western Boy Scout Council in Ft. Smith in 1970 and was leader of Troop 8 from 1971-1972. He graduated from the University of Arkansas in 1968, earning a BS in Industrial Management. In 1972, Clay moved to Fayetteville and bought The Highroller Cyclery, which he operated as owner/manager until 1992. He sold that business in 2007 and retired to a full life of managing his rental property with his wife, Cathy. Clay was happiest when he was in his shop helping a friend with a repair or starting a new project. Clay is survived by his wife Catherine W. Bass; his son Jon Bass of Portland, Oregon; his brother Hugh Bass (Rita) of Springfield, Illinois and Punta Gorda, Florida; three step-children, Amanda Tieaskie (Jeff), Max Moore (Kelly), Wendy Dunn (Whitley) all of Fayetteville; nine grandchildren and a great-granddaughter. He is preceded in death by four siblings, Walter R. Bass Jr. of Kansas City, Missouri; Anne Bass Fulk, Cooper Bass and Robert Bass, all of Little Rock. A private burial will be held at the Fayetteville National Cemetery. A memorial service is planned for a later date. Memorial tributes may be made to The Botanical Garden of the Ozarks, 4703 N. Crossover Road, Fayetteville, Ark. 72703. To sign the online guest book, visit www.mooresfuneralchapel.com.