Services for Bill Davis Set
A memorial service for Bill Davis will be held Friday, February 1, at 11 AM at the Lime Springs United Methodist Church.
Bill’s obituary is here.
Native of Lime Springs
Bill, officially Williams G. Davis, grew up in Lime Springs. He has lived in Lansing the last several decades where he had an insurance business downtown, with his living quarters above.
It’s no secret to Lime Springers that Bill came from a family with a rich musical heritage, a heritage not lost on Bill. His grandmother taught many Lime Springs youngsters to play the piano and to play it well.
I even took lessons from her, but guess either she or my parents finally had to admit that there was little hope of ever turning me into a “Yanni” or anything close so lessons were discontinued.
Bill’s father, Ben, was a good singer as I recall. And of course his aunt, Anna
May, was a music teacher in Decorah for years. After she retired and was back in Lime Springs full time, she became the local historian. Her keen memory, all 100+ years of it, led many folks to the homes or graves of their Welsh ancestors.
Bill, the Singer
And we all know that Bill could sing! He shared his voice with us on many occasions. The last time I heard him was at the 2004 LSHS Reunion, when he sang as part of the tribute to Anna May. She was honored as the oldest graduate of Lime Springs High School.
I tried to copy a clip of that song from the DVD, but, so far, that exceeds my technical ability so it’s not posted. If I have a breakthrough, it’ll be put on The Lime Springs Page.
Here’s what Susan Bigalk (granddaughter of Tom Price) had to say about it:
I will never forget the beautiful tenor voice of Billy Davis when he performed during his high school days at the Memorial Day services in the HS gym. Then later, the beautiful civil war medley of songs accompanied by Anna May who could transistion to one song after another in her remarkable style. And, more recently, In Flanders Field. A truly beautiful voice who is now in a heavenly choir!
Inspiration from Bill
While taking piano lessons at the Davis home, I saw a stick-and-paper model airplane which Bill had made. That was a real inspiration to me! I was a couple of years older than Billy and quickly concluded that “if Billy can build an airplane, so can I.” I have finished a few since, but believe I still have parts for one I began in 1960 in Taiwan!
He also wore the bars of a Lieutenant in the USAF; the best I could do was rise to the point where my rank was indicated with three strips embroidered on my sleeve.
He was also way ahead of me in another area—and I have no desire to catch up. Bill was married four times, double my number!
LSHS Class of 1957
Bill graduated from Lime Springs High School in 1957. That class is probably the closest-knit class ever.
Bill Davis
Taken September 20, 2011
They have formal reunions every-other year. During those reunions, a few classmates would always go to Lansing for a visit with Bill.
Due to ill health the last several years, Bill was unable to get around and was confined to his home. Classmates never forgot him and visited him from time-to-time. This picture was taken during one of those visit from classmates. Some called to support him in his troubled times.
I’m sure he appreciated the support from his home-town classmates and friends.
Our Last Visit
Several years ago(7?), Pat and I were camping along the Mississippi River. We had gone into Lansing for lunch. Then we went to the office of Davis Insurance. Bill Davis had his office right there on the main street.
At that point, I’d not seen Bill for years. We walked in and he treated us as if we were long lost buddies! We had a good visit with an old friend from Lime Springs. We all seemed to enjoy it.
Rest in peace, old friend.