William E. Davis Sr., 83, of Auburn, NH, died on April 25, 2014, surrounded by his loving family.
William was born in Flat Rock, SC, on December 1, 1930, to Clarence and Margaret (White) Davis. He earned a bachelor’s degree in architecture from Howard University and a master’s degree in city and regional planning from Pratt Institute. He also served in the U.S. Army and received an honorable discharge. He was employed as a regional planner for the U.S. Department of Transportation for many years, before retiring.
William deeply valued education and service to his community, and his commitment to both was the key that enabled him to realize his personal ambitions. He began his lifelong involvement with the NAACP while still in high school, and served as a gentle warrior in the struggle for equality and social justice in Manchester, NH throughout his adult life.
He held leadership positions with the Greater Manchester Black Scholarship Foundation for youth and family mentorships, served as president of the Greater Manchester Diversity Task Force and the Manchester Chapter of the NAACP, served on the Auburn Planning Board, and participated in the African American Genealogy Society and the Martin Luther King Jr. Day Coalition. He has received numerous awards notable the Lifetime Achievement Award this year from the MLK Day Coalition and the Excellence in Service Award from the NAACP.
William was also a member of the Arthur Murray Dance Studio for more than 20 years.
Family members include his wife and love of his life for 60 years, Jacqueline (Hawkins) Davis of Auburn; two sons, William E. Davis Jr. of New York and Brian J. Davis of Auburn; one grandson, Miles O. Davis; siblings, Clinton Davis, Ann Barnett, Mary McQuirter, Franklin Davis, and Theodore Davis; and a multitude of nephews, nieces, and cousins. He was predeceased by one son, Victor L. Davis.
Funeral services and military honors took place on Saturday, May 3, 2014 at the Lambert Funeral Home & Crematory, 1799 Elm St, Manchester. The burial with military honors was held on Tuesday, May 6, 2014 at the Lincoln Memorial Cemetery, Suitland, MD.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his memory to the Victor L. Davis Memorial Scholarship Fund at Southern Illinois University Department of Aviation Management and Flight, Carbondale, IL, Http://www.aviation.siu.edu/flight/alumni/donor-card.pdf. Fill out form with Victor L. Davis Memorial Scholarship Fund.