Carl Willard Basham, 67, of Mocksville, formerly of Rock, W.Va., died Friday, Oct. 30, 2015 at Alamance Regional Medical Center in Burlington.

Born March 5, 1948, in Lashmeet, W.Va., he was the son of the late James Cleveland Basham and the late Mithie Clara Williams Basham. An American hero, he was a decorated Vietman War veteran of the U.S. Army. Among the medals he was awarded were the National Defense Service Medal, the Vietnam Service Medal, the Vietnam Campaign Medal, a Combat Infantryman Badge, the Army Commendation Medal and the Army Commendation Medal with 1st Oak Leaf Cluster.  The Army Commendation Medal is only presented for sustained acts of heroism or meritorious service, and less than 1% of veterans receive such recognition.  Mr. Basham retired from Buchanan Coal Mines as an electrician.

Survivors: his wife, Terry Lynn Rose Basham of the home; 2 daughters, Jennifer Williams (Jerry) of Princeton, W.Va., and Melinda Shrewsbury (Chad) of Lashmeet, W.Va.; 4 stepchildren, David Koss of Lansing, Mich., Mary Morgan (Cliffton) and Laura McPherson (Jeff), both of Lennox Twsp., Mich., and Nicole Brinkley (Joey) of Athens, W.Va.; a brother, Robert Basham; 5 sisters, Cinda Frady, Reva Peck, Bernice Mullins, Phyllis Shreder and Nancy Piercey; plus 9 grandchildren: Logan, Laiken, Easton, Eathon, Emma, Cliffton Jr., Jacob, Mia and Conner.

The family was to receive friends from 11 a.m.-noon Wednesday, Nov. 4 at Davie Funeral Service Chapel in Mocksville. A graveside celebration of life service was to follow at 1 p.m. at Salisbury National Cemetery with full military honors to be accorded by the NC National Guard Honors Team and the VFW Memorial Honor Guard.

Condolences: www.daviefuneralservice.com.