William J. Davis Jr

William J. Davis Jr, Bill, went to be with the Lord on Thursday June 19, 2014. He was born October 3, 1951 in Parkersburg, WV. As a young lad, his family moved to Gallia County. He was preceded in death by his father, William J. Davis Sr., his mother, Anna Lucille Higgins Davis, his brother, Glen Davis, and sister-in-law, Susan Marie Davis.

Bill graduated from Gallia Academy High School in 1969. After high school, he served in the West Virginia Army National Guard and began working at the Gallipolis Developmental Center. He retired after 30 years at GDC. He touched the hearts of many residents and staff over his years at GDC. Bill was a Gallipolis City Commissioner for 11 years and served the citizens of Gallia County as a County Commissioner for 4 years. In 2005, he fully retired to Florida to be closer to his family.

Bill is survived by his wife of 44 years, Susan Markley Davis, who he married in May of 1970. Together they embodied the true essences of a marriage; faith, love, caring, and communication. Bill is also survived by his three children. Anna Davis, who through the years has been his rock, has showed him the world. His son, Sam Davis, who has been his shadow, his younger twin. And son, Seth Davis, his pride, his baby boy. Seth married Elizabeth Vass Davis and gave Bill his greatest joy, his grand girls, Alana Marie and Norah Rae. In the true spirit of Bill, he is also survived by his “other boys”, his Labs, Davis and Roo.

Bill is survived by his step-mother Lucy Davis. Bill is also survived by his sisters and brothers. Sister Peggy Patterson and husband Lee, Sister Kitty Griffith and husband Bill, Sister Susan West, Brother Jim Davis and wife Kay, Sister Karen McDade, Brother Shane Davis, Sister Amy Davis, Sister Missy Staton and Casey, Sister-in-law Claire Wootton and husband Mark, Brother-in-law John Markley and wife Cheryl. His nieces and nephews, Tammy Toler, Jill Brown, Brad Patterson, Shana Booher, Karla Baker, Kristen Tucker, John Davis, Jeremy Davis, Zach Davis, Chase Davis, Ben West, Tony West, Ivy O’Neil, Steve Tackett, Maggie Wootton, Luke Wootton , and Molly Markley. Bill is also survived by a very special friend, Esther Doeright.

In Gallipolis, Bill was an active member of St. Peters Episcopal Church. Upon his move to Florida, Bill became an active member of Trinity Church of Wesley Chapel.

A memorial service in Florida will be held on June 28, 2014 at 11am at Trinity Church of Wesley Chapel with a luncheon to follow.

Services in Ohio will be held July 19 at St. Peters Episcopal Church 541 2nd Ave Gallipolis. Calling hours will be from 2pm to 6pm followed by a celebration of life at 6pm.

As per Bill’s wishes, in-lieu of flowers or gifts, donations can be made to Trinity Church of Wesley Chapel in memory of Bill Davis 33425 State Route 54 Wesley Chapel, FL 33543.