William F."Bill" Davis.. Age 89

William Franklin “Bill” Davis age 89 of Rural Parker, Ks. died Saturday, June 30, 2012 at North Point Skilled Nursing Center in Paola, Ks.

Bill was born September 12, 1922 in Osawatomie, Ks. He was the older of two children born to George Harris Davis and Iva Maude (Evinger) Davis. The family moved to the farm south of Osawatomie when he was eight to ten years old. He graduated from Osawatomie High School in the class of 1940.

Bill worked for Peck-Wadkins Chevrolet for a couple of years then he enlisted in the US Army Air Force on Nov. 6, 1942 and was discharged Jan. 12, 1946. He was a Sergeant with the 347th Airdrome Squadron which was a cargo supply unit. He participated in the China Offensive, Central Burma, and India-Burma Campaign during WWII.

When he returned to civilian life he operated a Mobile Service Station in Osawatomie for a time and then was a mechanic for Osawatomie Motors, Paola Ford and Burks Auto Clinic.

Bill was married to Lorna Zink in 1949. They became the parents of two children. This marriage ended in divorce.
Bill married Eleanor Jean Krause in Paola, Ks. Jan.4, 1965 and made their home in Osawatomie. Bill immediately adopted Eleanor’s daughter, Theresa.

He was a former member of the First Baptist Church of Osawatomie.
He is a member of the United Methodist Church of Beagle, Ks.
He is a life member of the “John Hinkle” Post #204 of the American Legion and the Hanlin-Kelley Post #2258 of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, both of Osawatomie.

He was preceded in death by his parents; one son William Joseph “Billy” Davis; one infant sister Margaret who died at birth and one great Granddaughter, Haelie Springer.

He is survived by his wife Eleanor of the home; two daughters, Theresa (Martin) Springer of Osawatomie and Debra Phelps; seven grandchildren, which include three local grand children, Ian (Kerri) Springer, Christine Glyn and Kelly (Jamie) Ortiz; thirteen great-grandchildren, Devon Smithhisler, Elana Smithhisler, Zaydee Springer, Jerrica Springer, Oakland Springer, Ayden Ortiz, Sienna Ortiz, Keyton Dickerson, Aaron Phelps, William J. Davis Jr., Travis Davis, and Jodi Davis.

Services will be 10am Friday July 6, 2012 at the Eddy-Birchard Funeral Home in Osawatomie with burial in the Osawatomie Cemetery with military honors.
Visitation will be 6-8pm Thursday at the funeral home.
Memorials may be made to Disabled Veterans Assoc.

Eddy-Birchard Funeral Home 203 Main, Osawatomie, Ks. 66064 (913)-755-2114
www.eddybirchard.com