William Davis

William Windsor "Bill" Davis, 62, of Jackson died Wednesday, Jan. 26, 2011, at his home.

He was born Oct. 5, 1948, in Cape Girardeau, to Richard Greenwood and Betty Lou Windsor Davis. He and Julia Neal were married May 29, 1983, at Fruitland.

Bill graduated from Jackson High School in 1966, and earned a bachelor of science degree in mechanical engineering from the University of Missouri-Columbia in 1972.

He was a member of First Presbyterian Church in Jackson.

Davis joined the Missouri National Guard in 1971 and graduated from Officer Candidate School in 1977. While in the National Guard he served with the 1140th Engineer Battalion, 35th Engineer Brigade, 135th Engineer Group and the 1138th Engineer Battalion.

He also served three years in the U.S. Army with the 130th Engineer Brigade in Hanau, West Germany. After proudly serving in the military 28 years, Bill retired at the rank of lieutenant colonel.

Bill's civilian career included owner and operator of Jackson Western Auto, surveyed for Guy Lowes in Jackson, deputy commissioner of refuse with the city of St. Louis, plant engineer with Havco Wood Products in Cape Girardeau and manufacturing supervisor with Mannington Wood Floors in Arkansas and Rubbermaid in Jackson.

For many years Davis was active in Boy Scouts and Order of the Arrow, volunteering in a variety of positions. He had been a member of Jackson Heritage Association.

Music was his lifelong passion and he enjoyed performing in a variety of venues.

Survivors include his wife, Julia of Jackson; three daughters, Beth Davis of St. Louis, Katherine Davis of Cape Girardeau, Claire Davis of Jackson; a son, Joshua Davis of Jackson; a granddaughter, Jaden Davis of Jackson; a sister, Mary (Gerald) Linnenbringer of St. Albans, Mo.; and a nephew, Gerald (Kathryn) Linnenbringer of St. Louis.

He was preceded in death by his parents and a nephew.

Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. today at Cracraft-Miller Funeral Home in Jackson.

The funeral will be at 11 a.m. Saturday at the funeral home, with the Rev. Grant F.C. Gillard officiating. Burial will be in Cape County Memorial Park, with full military honors.

Memorials may be made to First Presbyterian Church of Jackson.