Sheila Basham Wathen

Sheila Basham Wathen, 71, of Owensboro passed away Sunday, November 30, 2025, at Owensboro Health Regional Hospital. The Daviess County native was born August 28, 1954, to the late Robert Vineyard and Mabel Williams King. Sheila graduated from Owensboro High School with the class of 1972. Early in life, she was a foster parent before having children of her own. She was employed as a Cosmetologist after receiving her license. She then worked as a custodian in the Daviess County school system from 1989 till 2009 when she retired. When her husband passed away, she met and married William “Bill” Wathen after meeting him at the Yellow Rose. They both loved to dance and spent many Friday and Saturday nights cutting the rug together. Sheila was also a lifetime member of the VFW auxiliary. She was a loving person who expressed that love in abundance to her family.

In addition to her parents, Sheila was also preceded in death by her first husband, Leslie Basham in 2014; her sisters, Martine Rigsby, Mildred Schooler, Clara Cartwright, and Nancy Kaelin.

Those left to cherish her memory include her husband, William “Bill” Wathen; son, Jason Basham and wife Amanda of McLean County; daughter, Sabrina Smith and husband Kenneth of Reynolds Station; five grandchildren, Jason Basham Jr., Rachel Basham, J.T. Basham (Colby), Destiny Landon, and Jacob Basham; brother, Terry King (Stephanie); several nieces and nephews.

The funeral service will be 2:00 pm Thursday, December 4 at Glenn Funeral Home and Crematory with same day visitation from 10:00 am until the time of the service. Burial will follow in Friendship Baptist Church Cemetery in Philpot.

Condolences and memories for Sheila’s family may be left at www.glenncares.com.