More detail on this person: Willie L. Davis, Col (USA Retired) April 27, 1931-March 10, 2014
Columbus, GA- Willie L. Davis, Col.(USA Retired), 82 of 7233 E. Wynfield Loop, Midland, Georgia
passed Monday March 10, 2014 at Magnolia Manor, Columbus, GA. Funeral services will be held
11:00AM Monday, March 17, 2014 at the TIC Chapel, Ft. Benning, Georgia with Rev. Javon Jackson
and United States Army Chaplain, CPT Drew Turner officiating. Interment will follow with full
military honors at Ft. Mitchell National Cemetery, Ft. Mitchell, AL according to
Hill-Watson-People's Funeral Service LLC, 2919 Hamilton Road, Columbus. There will be no public
visitation.
Born April 27, 1931, the seventh child of James and Pecola Davis of Belhaven, NC. He possessed an
indomitable spirit and infectious energy which inspired all who had the privilege of meeting him. A
dedicated family man, he enjoyed sharing stories about his life as a NC farm boy and especially
about the exploits of his children and grandchildren. He began his military career in the Infantry,
after earning a Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering from the North Carolina Agricultural and
Technical Institute followed by a Master's in Human Resources Management in 1979 from Pepperdine
University. Over a distinguished military career of 25 years, in the Infantry and Signal Corps, as a
Master Army pilot flying various makes of planes and helicopters, he received numerous awards and
medals, including: The Legion of Merit; Bronze Star; two (2) Meritorious Service Medals with
Cluster; eleven Air Medals with Clusters; Navy Commendation Medal for Heroism awarded by the US
Marines; two Army Commendation Medals with Cluster; National Defense Medal; Expeditionary Service
Medal; Vietnam Service and Vietnam Medal of Honor. His tours of duty included Asia, Europe and
various posts in the US including serving as Staff Officer at the Pentagon. After an illustrious
career, he retired from military service June 30, 1979. He then worked twelve years as a Program
Manager for both ITT and Harris Corporations developing electronic systems for NASA and the Kennedy
Space Center including the Hubble Space Telescope. An active member of Holsey Monumental CME
Church, he was honored as their Man of The Year in 2008. Always interested in supporting his
community his community service included Chair of the Board of Directors of the BRIDGE Program and
Treasurer of the Boards of Directors of both Muscogee Manor and the Columbus Community Center. A
life member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, he also enjoyed membership the Red Tail Squadron, The
Army Historical Foundation and the Military Officers Association of America and a Charter Member of
the National Management Association and enjoyed woodworking and genealogy research in his
retirement. He is survived by and leaves to cherish his memory his wife, Idella Bellamy Davis of
Midland; a daughter, Dr. Brenda J. Davis Rowe (Robert "Bob"); a son, Gregory K. Davis, both of
metropolitan Atlanta; three grandchildren: Dr. Robert A-A Rowe, Justine M. Davis-Denis (Vincent),
and Marine Lt. Aaron J. Davis; one great grandson, Adrian Terry Davis; sisters: Dorothy Davis White
of NY; Alma Davis Whitaker of Belhaven, NC; Yvonne Davis Goodman (Harold) of Norfolk, VA; and
Elaine Davis Jones (Theodore) of Inglewood, CA; sister-in-law Alejandrina G. Davis of NY, and
numerous nieces, nephews, godsons, cousins and friends. In lieu of flowers , the family wishes
contributions be made to Columbus Hospice in honor of our beloved.
Published in Columbus Ledger-Enquirer on Mar. 16, 2014
This information was last updated 05/18/2016
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