Billy Dale Basler, son of James and Ruby (Stilts) Basler, was born August 27, 1919, in Lohrville, Iowa. He graduated from Lohrville High School in 1936.
On April 4, 1942, Bill was united in marriage to Beatrice Williamson at Fort Snelling in Minnesota. To this union three children were born.
Bill enlisted in the army in February of 1941, and served as a Military Policeman until attending Officer Candidate School and Flight School in 1942. He received his wings and became a single engine pilot in the Air Corps before serving as a Flight Instructor and later a Flight Engineer. Bill left the military when the war ended, reaching the rank of First Lieutenant.
After several years of farming, Bill was hired by the State Conservation Commission (DNR) initially being assigned to Cedar and Jones Counties. Later in his career, he worked in Dickinson, Kossuth and Palo Alto Counties, retiring in 1979, after 27 years of service.
Bill was an avid hunter and fisherman. He enjoyed gardening and tending to his bee hives. He and Bea loved to dance and they were always the first on the dance floor and the last to leave.
Bill passed away Tuesday, November 1, 2011, at his home, surrounded by his family.
