William E. Davis, Jr.
LEAWOOD, KANSAS - William E. Davis, Jr. of Leawood, Kansas, age 102, passed away on Monday, May 11, 2015 in Sarasota, Florida. Bill was born on October 26, 1912 in Clinton, Missouri, the only son of William E. Davis, Sr., a Baptist minister, and Anna Prather Davis of DeKalb, Missouri. After attending William Jewell College where he achieved a BA in physics and became a member of Phi Gamma Delta Fraternity, he married Berniece DeHart Jones of Cameron, Missouri. During World War II, Bill enlisted in the United States Navy, graduated from the Naval Officer’s Academy, and served in Japan as part of the occupation forces. It was during these years that Bill began playing bridge, which he and his wife enjoyed for many years. In 1946, after returning from the war, he attended the University of Kansas in Lawrence, Kansas on the GI Bill, achieving a degree in Engineering. Bill worked for J. F. Pritchard and Company in Kansas City before forming his own consulting company. During these years he built the only wood fired power plant in the United States in Burlington, Vermont. Bill and his wife were members of the Old Mission United Methodist Church and the Ours and Hours Garden Club. In connection with his interest in gardening, one of his favorite activities was collecting and caring for orchids that he collected from his travels to Europe, Mexico, and points of interest in the United States. Bill and Berniece were married for 66 years and as a devoted husband, he cared for her until her death in 2004. He leaves a daughter, Susan D. Eltonhead, and son-in-law, Robert Eltonhead, and a granddaughter, Laura Elliott. Bill was always willing to help anyone with mechanical and physical needs around the house. He will be greatly missed.Interment is at Graceland Cemetery, Cameron, Missouri.
