Two Bassett Firm Lawyers Die Jan. 10

The Bassett Law Firm in Fayetteville lost two of its lawyers on Jan. 10.

Founder and managing partner, Woodson W. “Bill” Bassett, 79, died of prostate cancer during the day, and David Wall, 38, a partner, was found dead in his home at about 9 p.m.

Buddy Chadick, partner with the firm, said Bassett had been diagnosed with cancer in November 2004, but “hadn’t missed a step.”

Bassett had been hospitalized due to complications with his illness in late December but had returned home. Friends and family were saddened by the news of his death but not shocked, Chadick said.

Bassett primarily practiced civil litigation, employment discrimination, insurance defense and malpractice litigation.

“He loved the jury system. He loved the jury trial,” Chadick said.

Wall had a jury trial scheduled for the week of Jan. 16 and had been working at home on the 10th, Chadick said, which was not an unusual practice for the firm. Wall’s secretary attempted to reach him by phone that day but was unsuccessful. A friend who had also tried to reach Wall by phone stopped by the residence late that evening. The friend found the newspaper and a package at the door and notified police, who then entered the home.

“He was in his boxer shorts lying by his bed,” Chadick said.

As of Jan. 11, cause of death was undetermined, but the preliminary ruling was “natural causes,” Chadick said. There was no evidence of foul play. Wall’s body was sent to the Arkansas State Medical Examiner’s Office in Little Rock.

Wall’s area of practice was business law and litigation, civil litigation, employment law and workers compensation among others.

Before the deaths, the Bassett Law Firm was the largest firm in Benton and Washington counties, but omitting Bassett and Wall, the firm slips to No. 2.

As of press time, it was unclear who would be the managing partner at the firm. Bill Bassett’s two sons, Woody Bassett and Tod Bassett, are also lawyers at the firm.

Chadick said both men will be greatly missed.