William R. Davis, formerly of West Simsbury and Simsbury, CT passed away peacefully surrounded by his family on April 19, 2018 at Seabury in Bloomfield. He was born July 13, 1925 in New York City, son of William H. and Flora Ros Davis. He grew up in Scarsdale, NY.
In 1943 immediately after graduating from Scarsdale High School, he volunteered as an aviation cadet in the U.S. Navy, training to be a fighter pilot and served until the end of WWII.
He graduated with honors from Dartmouth College in 1949, continuing on to earn an MS in Engineering at Thayer School of Engineering and an MBA at The Tuck School of Business Administration.
He enjoyed 33 years in a variety of positions at The Stanley Works in New Britain, including the Steel Strapping Division, as Manager of Research in the Magic Door Division, and then in Research and Development earning many patents for the company. His work involved considerable travel abroad. He also acted as the company’s expert litigation witness.
Bill was very family-oriented, especially enjoying two long family vacations crisscrossing the U.S., camping at National Parks, going as far south as Mexico and north into Canada. In later years, he and wife Lenore often traveled to visit their children and families all over the U.S. and Europe. In retirement they treasured being able to travel the globe.
Bill wore many hats; beloved husband; loving father, grandfather, and great-grandfather, firm but fair; a gentleman; gardener of vegetables and prize-winning tea roses; stamp collector; avid reader and student of history; sportsman, playing tennis at The Hop Brook Tennis Club and downhill skiing all over the US and Europe until age 84, sailing; follower of sports teams, N.Y. Giants, Patriots, UCONN Ladies Basketball; Mr. Fix- It;
Volunteer: 25 years delivering Meals on Wheels; Assistant Boy Scout Leader; cameraman for Simsbury TV; tender of Simsbury Historical Society rose beds; helping prepare taxes at the Simsbury Senior Center; tutoring math at the high school; and many Dartmouth and Thayer volunteer activities.
To the end he never lost his sense of humor.
He leaves behind his wife of nearly 68 years, Lenore Johnson Davis, sons William R Davis Jr. (Debra) of Simsbury, CT, and Jeffrey J Davis (Kimberly) of Niceville, FL, and daughter Katherine Davis Powers (Thomas) of South Weymouth, MA, nine grandchildren, Joshua, Jeremy, Alan, Brian, Kelly and Kaitlin Davis, Emily, Signe, and Clayton Powers and 5 great grandchildren, brother Richard E. Davis (Carol) of Vero Beach, FL, sister in law Demaris J Doherty of San Francisco, CA, 2 nieces, 1 nephew and many friends.
The family wishes to thank the staff in Seabury’s Assisted Living and Skilled Nursing, especially Cindy, also the Masonicare Hospice staff, Marva, Dione, and nurse Heidi.
A memorial service will be held at 1:30pm Sunday April 29, 2018 at First Church of Christ at 689 Hopmeadow St. in Simsbury. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Bill’s name to: Dartmouth College, Thayer School of Engineering, Hanover, NH or The Alzheimer’s Foundation. The Vincent Funeral Home of Simsbury caring for the arrangements. Please visit Bill’s “Book of Memories” at www.vincentfuneralhome.com for online tributes.