Basil William Theodoras

Basil William Theodoras, 89, of Hoover, AL passed away on Tuesday March 14, 2023, from COVID pneumonia.

He was born on January 23, 1934, in Dayton, OH, the son of Basil "Bill" Theodoras and Camille Poffenberger Theodoras of Vandalia, OH.

Basil graduated from Vandalia-Butler High School in Vandalia, OH in 1951 and the University of Dayton with a business and accounting degree in 1955. He enlisted in the Army on January 15, 1956 and was honorably discharged on December 18, 1957. His final rank was Specialist 3rd class.

Then Basil began a long and varied career in business. During his work, he crisscrossed the country. He worked for McCall's Company, the publisher of dress patterns and over 50 magazines in the 1960's. After working for McCall's in Ohio, New Jersey, California, and Maryland, Basil worked for the Williams Companies in Tulsa, OK and then Delta Steamship Lines in New Orleans, LA before his retirement.

Basil was never idle. He always had big ideas and even bigger dreams. Even in retirement, he was always thinking about his next project or enterprise.

Three things were always the most important to Basil: his faith, his wife, and his family. He cherished his marriage of 65 years to Suzanna (Hodson) Theodoras. They married on February 14, 1958. They were a couple who stayed together in both good times and bad. They were together from the mid 1950's until his last breath. They were inseparable. They were bonded by an uncommon faith in each other and love for one another. They reared three children: Hope Ellen, Thomas William, and Michael Lee and took immense pride in each one of them and their accomplishments. Family was important to Basil, and nothing pleased him more than having an opportunity to "Make Memories" with his children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. He relished each moment with them and left a legacy of warm memories and love for each of them to carry forward.

Basil loved basketball. He coached elementary and junior high, both boy's and girl's teams. He always had the television blaring during March Madness. Music was an integral part of his life. He played tuba in high school and college. He also played the accordion, concertina, and the organ. Basil loved "sing-alongs" and he enjoyed compiling lists of songs and arranging sing-along nights.

His constant and loyal companion for the past 9 years was his dog, Tiger. They watched TV together, they ate together, and of course they napped together. Tiger passed away two days before Basil. We are sure that Tiger met Basil in Heaven.

During retirement, he spent years as a United Methodist lay pastor at several churches in Southeast Ohio and at the Masonic retirement community in Springfield, OH. He worked diligently on his sermons to make sure that they delivered just the right message to bolster his congregations in their faith. He took great pleasure in coordinating the hymns to match his sermons.

At his death, Basil was a member of the Athens United Methodist Church. Once he moved to Hoover, he attended Bible studies at the Riverchase United Methodist Church. He was a 32nd degree Mason, a lifetime member of The Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons of Ohio (Vandalia).

Besides his parents, Basil was preceded in death by his two sisters, Dr. Mary Louise Theodoras (Saul) and Helene Annette Theodoras, as well as his son, Thomas (Mary Shumway) Theodoras.

He is survived by his wife, Suzanna, his daughter Hope (Jody) Ely, and his son Michael (Lori) Theodoras, and his grandchildren: Christina, Matthew, William, Madilyn, and Alaina and his great grandchildren: Aislyn, Chloe, Liza Ann, Thomas, and Elsie.

Basil, we love you and will always carry your humor and your memory in our hearts. We know that you are safe and pain free in the arms of our Lord.

Funeral is Monday March 20, 2023, at Currie-Jefferson Funeral Home, 2701 John Hawkins Parkway, Hoover AL 35244. Visitation 11:00 - 12:00 CT. Service 12:00 CT.

Basil will be buried at Dayton Memorial Park Cemetery, 8135 N Dixie Dr., Dayton, OH alongside his parents and his grandmother. A Masonic Blue Lodge service and a time for family and friends to offer remembrances will be held at graveside on Friday, March 24, 2023, at 1:00 PM ET.

In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the American Heart Association or the American Diabetes Association.