William L. "Bill" Bassetto

William Bassetto ObituaryObituary published on Legacy.com by Friedrich-Jones Funeral Home on Mar. 7, 2026.William L. "Bill" Bassetto, age 74, a resident of Naperville, IL since 1976, formerly of Chicago, IL, passed away on Friday, March 6, 2026, at AccentCare Hospice Home in Naperville. He was born on December 24, 1951, in Chicago, IL.Beloved husband of Alana E. "Lana" Bassetto (née McCone), whom he married July 20, 1974, loving father of Bridget Bassetto Lenard, Brianne (John) Zitko and Caitlin (Nicholas) Haap, all of Naperville, adored grandfather of Aisling, Nolan and Maura Lenard; Jack and Lila Zitko; Liam, Cavan and Maeve Haap, devoted son of Dolores Bassetto (née Sprindis) of Neenah, WI and the late Leo Bassetto, son-in-law of the late Jack and Sheila McCone, dear brother of Thomas (Kathy) Bassetto, Donna (Joseph) Leahy, Steven (Cassandra) Bassetto, Linda (Douglas) Driscoll and the late James J. (Alison) Bassetto, brother-in-law of Cody (Rhea) McCone, Deirdre (the late Jay) Riley and the late Rory (Caryl) McCone, fond nephew of Robert "Bobby" (Susan) Laio and Nancy (Wayne) Storrs, loving cousin, uncle, great uncle and friend of many.Bill grew up on the southeast side of Chicago and was the oldest of six siblings. The Bassetto family was always known for their generosity and kind hearts – a foundation that his parents Leo and Dolores Bassetto created and that Bill honored. Known for his incredible strength, he was an avid weightlifter, and his siblings fondly remember him lifting cars for fun-earning him the nickname "Billy Biceps." He attended Mendel Catholic Prep, where he excelled as a football player. His family recalls piling into the station wagon with sandwiches, hot cocoa, and blankets to cheer him on at games. During Bill's time on the team, Mendel's football defense-of which he was a key part-went undefeated. His brother Tom also remembers the two of them saving every dollar they could to buy their first car together, a 1962 Corvette. By his senior year, Bill was receiving letters, calls, and home visits from college recruiters and was offered several scholarships. He ultimately chose to attend the University of Illinois, where he met his beautiful wife, Lana.When Bill met Lana during his freshman year at the University of Illinois, they both knew it was love at first sight. He later finished his college football career at the University of New Mexico and went on to play two years of professional football with the Chicago Wind. In 1976, Bill and Lana moved to Naperville, where they began building their life together and welcomed their first child in 1978. Bill and Lana shared a rare and enduring love that lasted throughout his life. Together they raised a close, loving family and always emphasized that love was the most important thing in life. Their warmth and light touched everyone who knew them.Bill owned and operated Bassetto Builders, a successful homebuilding company, for more than 30 years. Over the years, he designed and built several homes in Naperville where he, Lana, and their three daughters lived. He had a natural creativity and a remarkable ability to fix just about anything his family managed to break. Bill had a true vision for designing beautiful, unique homes, and he took great pride in his work. At home, he was just as hands-on-often helping his daughters with creative school projects that frequently won prizes. Above all, he was a devoted husband and father who was always focused on caring for and supporting his girls.Bill cherished time spent fishing and hunting with his late father and his brothers, and the family's annual hunting trips were a tradition he deeply loved. He also treasured time with his grandchildren and attended as many of their sporting events as he could. Known for his constant smile and generous spirit, Bill was always thinking of others. He was a remarkable man whose presence will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved him.A memorial visitation will be held on Thursday, March 19, 2026, 4:00-8:00 PM at Friedrich-Jones Funeral Home & Cremation Services, 44 S. Mill Street, Naperville, IL 60540.Family and friends will meet to celebrate a Mass of Christian Burial on Friday, March 20, 11:00 AM at SS. Peter Paul Catholic Church, 36 N. Ellsworth St., Naperville, IL 60540.Interment will be private.Donations in Bill's memory may be made to:Blood Cancer United (formerly Leukemia & Lymphoma Society) - Donor Services, PO Box 22324, New York, NY 10087, (888) 557-7177, https://bloodcancerunited.org/Arrangements by Friedrich-Jones Funeral Home & Cremation Services, 44 S. Mill Street, Naperville, IL 60540.For more information, please visit www.friedrich-jones.com or call (630) 355-0213.To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.