Bill David Basting

Bill David Basting, born December 4, 1943, died June 29, 2020 in Chico California. Parents were David John Basting and Ada (Basting-Dalke) McCulloch. Born in Philadelphia Pennsylvania. His family moved to southern California when he was 18 months old and then to Chico California in 1955. He is survived by his wife Nancy, son Michael, Grandchildren Valerie and Jacob his sister Susan and many, many cousins. When he was 18 months old his mother and his Aunt Ted drove across the country from Philadelphia to Los Angeles with 18 months old Bill. They settled in southern California. Bill enjoyed going to the Railroad Museum as a young boy, going to the gun range and fishing with his dad. When he was twelve his family moved to Chico, California where he started seventh grade at Chico Junior High School. He graduated from Chico Senior High School in 1961. After high school he attended Chico State College for several years. He was in the U S Army Reserve from 1964 until 1970. Bill enjoyed tinkering in his dad's shop. At 15 he built his first car the "Tall T", and would go on to build many, many more cars in his life. He spent most of his adult life building and working on antique cars from all over the world. He worked for "Cruces Classic Cars" from 1974 to 1986. He was the first employee. In 1986 he started his own business and restored and built classic cars including several "Aston Martins" from the frame up. Bill also enjoyed astronomy. He built his own 12-inch telescope. He and his friends Randy, Jerry and his son Mike would go to the upper park in the summer and spend the night looking through their telescopes and come home at 7:00 AM in the morning. In 1964 Bill rented the house on the Esplanade with his friend Dennis for $50 month. He lived there with his family until 1984 when Bill and Nancy bought their home. He wanted a home with property, so they bought a small cottage on 1.3 acres, where he lived until his death. They added fruit trees and a vegetable garden. He had to have his homegrown tomatoes. They added his shop in 1990. Bill and Nancy would make several trips to the Monterey area in the summer. Bill loved going to Laguna Seca to see all the cars and meet with friends and acquaintances. Bill was a big science fiction fan. He loved all the movies and television shows especially the "Star Trek" series and all the "Star Wars" movies. Most of all he loved his family.