Graveside services will be held at Crestwood Cemetery on Monday, August 6, 2018 at 11:00 a.m. for Basil Gerald Vice, age 81, of Gadsden, who passed away Saturday August 4, 2018. Rev. Larry Garrard will officiate. Crestwood Funeral Home is in charge.

Basil Gerald Vice, Jr. was born in Attalla, Alabama on November 28, 1936.

He is survived by his wife of 52 years, Martha Crowe Vice as well as two sons:   Jeremy (Tara) and Ethan (Kim) as well as three grandsons: Wesley, Mason, and Graham.  He is also survived by four siblings: Travis, Lamar, Nancy (Jones), and Randy, as well as a host of nieces and nephews.

Basil was preceded in death by his parents, Basil G. Vice, Sr. and Mary Dell Oliver as well as his parents-in-law, Floyd L. Crowe and Sara Ellen Blevins.

Basil retired from the United States Air Force as a Senior Master Sergeant after 42 years of combined military service.  He served in the U.S. Navy and Naval Reserve from 1953 through 1975 including active duty on board the USS Strong DD 865, USS Tills DE 748, USS Shenandoah AD 26, USS Thuban AKA 19 and USS Ranger CVA 61.  He then served in the Alabama Air National Guard 225 ^th Combat Communications Squadron from 1975 through 1995.  Basil visited over 50 countries during service to his country.

He graduated from Etowah High School in 1955.  He received his B.S. in English and History from the University of Alabama in Birmingham in 1972.  He also received an A.S. in Applied Science Mechanical and Electrical Technology from the United States Air Force.

After retirement, Basil became very involved in a number of religious and civic organizations:

• He was a member of Gideons International for 24 years and was heavily involved in both the Gadsden Camp and Etowah South Camp.  He served as president of the Gadsden Camp for a number of years during his tenure.

• Basil was also a member of the Gadsden Kiwanis Club for 22 years, serving on the Board as well as president from 2012 through 2013.  He was awarded the George F. Hixon Fellow award in October 2007 for his years of illustrious service.

• He was also a tremendous supporter of The Salvation Army, serving on both the Advisory Committee and Board.

• Basil was also very involved with the Boy Scouts of America and was awarded the Heart of the Eagle award in 2009 by The Greater Council of the Boys Scouts of America for his outstanding leadership.

Most importantly, Basil loved his Lord Jesus Christ and was a faithful servant, sharing the Word of God with an untold number of individuals.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations in Basil's memory to either Gideons International (Gadsden Gideon Camp, P.O. Box 1161, Gadsden, AL 35902) or The Salvation Army (114 North 11 ^th Street, Gadsden, AL 35901).