William Frank Davis

William (Bill) Davis celebrated his 95th birthday on July 24, 2024 and he passed away peacefully on January 18, 2025 in Lewisville, Texas. He was born in Newton, Kansas to Walter Davis and Ethel Wall Davis, and he and his older brother, Jack, were raised in Florence, Kansas. Bill attended High School in Florence, where he played in the band and lettered in football and basketball all four years. In his free time, he loved fishing on the Cottonwood River. He graduated from Florence High School in the class of 1947, and following graduation, he enlisted and served for four years in the United States Air Force. While in the Air Force, in 1951 he married his hometown sweetheart, Betty Lou McMillen. After leaving the Air Force (at the rank of Staff Sergeant), the couple settled in Oklahoma City, and Bill began his career in the Oklahoma City Post Office. Betty served as Director of the Putnam City United Methodist Weekday School and taught Kindergarten until her death at the age of 48 in 1979. Betty and Bill had three children (Mike, Cheryl, and Mark). 

Bill worked at the Oklahoma City Post Office for 36 years. During his career he served as President of Postal Clerks AFL-CIO “APWU”, he was chief negotiator on three different labor contracts for the Clerk Craft at the Post Office, he opened the first OKC Postique (Stamp Collecting Center and Gift Shop) in 1974, and he served as Manager of the Postique until his retirement in 1985. Following his retirement from the U.S. Postal service, he worked for an additional 15 years as Clerk on Charge at the Shepherd Mall Post Office Contract Station in Oklahoma City. 

Bill devoted over 30 years of volunteer service to an organization that he loved dearly, the U.S. Employees Oklahoma City Federal Credit Union. He served for 30 years as a member of the Board of Directors and held the position of Chairman for 26 years. Other volunteer leadership roles included serving as President and Chaplain of Chapter 184 of the National Association of Retired Federal Employees (NARF) for two years, serving as President of the Fairhill Homeowners Association, and serving as a Travel Escort and President of the Putnam City Retired Teachers Travel Club for 13 years. He was a very active and devoted member of the Putnam City United Methodist Church for over 60 years, where he enjoyed serving as President of the New Hope Sunday School Class. He was also a proud member of the John McKay American Legion Post 308 in Florence, Kansas. When his children were young, he enjoyed coaching little league baseball and serving as a Boy Scout Patrol Dad.

On October 16, 1995, Bill married Barbara Cosby in Eureka Springs, Arkansas. They lived in Edmond, Oklahoma until her death on December 4, 2009. Bill and Barbara loved traveling together, and they enjoyed many trips with friends and travel club members across the United States and abroad. In 2014, Bill moved to the Dallas, Texas area to be closer to his sons Mike and Mark.

Bill was preceded in death by his parents, Walter and Ethel Davis; his brother, Jack Davis; his sister-in-law Wanda Davis, and his wives Betty McMillen Davis and Barbara Cosby Davis. He is survived by his sons Mike Davis (Cheryl); Savannah, TX, and Mark Davis (Laura), Lewisville, TX; daughter Cheryl Davis (Nathan Holaday) of Bowling Green, KY; grandchildren Jeremiah Davis, Brooke Malone (Kevin), Emily Davis, Tara Rueckert (Justin), Ethan Holaday (Sixtine), Grayson Holaday, Elizabeth Davis, Abigail Davis, Allison Davis, and Tristan Davis; 7 great grandchildren and 3 great great grandchildren; nieces Christine Davis, Marilyn Dalton (Ed), Julia Giger (Greg), Gwen Brustad (Ken), Allison Longman (Dave); nephews Jeff McMillen and Rob McMillen; brother in law Robert McMillen (Carol); many great nieces and nephews; and many other close family members and friends he loved, including his special friend, Becky McColley. 

Bill was a beloved husband, father, grandfather, uncle, and friend. His greatest joy and pride was his family, and he held a very special place in his heart for each of his beloved grandchildren, great grandchildren, and great great grandchildren. In addition to being known by many as “Grandpa Bill”, he was also affectionately known as “Mr. Bill”, “Billy Boy”, and “Wild Bill”. His outgoing and friendly personality and sense of humor made him a joy to be around, and he made close and lasting friendships throughout his life. Bill had a special fondness for good food, patriotic music, classic country music, Methodist hymns, travel, and Bingo. He was also a loyal and enthusiastic fan of the University of Oklahoma Sooners.

He leaves behind a legacy of love, laughter, leadership, and service. He will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved him.

His Celebration of Life Service will be held at Florence United Methodist Church in Florence, Kansas on February 1st, with a graveside service following at Hillcrest Cemetery. Additional details will be forthcoming. Yazel-Megli Funeral Home, Marion is serving the family.