William Davies

William (Bill) J. Davies, Sr., age 90, of Conroe, Texas went to be with the Lord and his Son on May 16, 2014, after a brief illness. Bill was born on April 21, 1924 to Charles A. Davies, Sr. and Magdelene McAteer Davies in Tulsa, Oklahoma. He spent most of his formative years in St. Louis, Missouri where his father built a thriving structural engineering practice.

He graduated from Christian Brothers College Preparatory School in 1942, which at the time was a military high school. Over the years he always recounted his time and friends at CBC with much affection. Upon graduation, Bill served his country in the South Pacific in World War II as a non-commissioned officer as a member of the 68th Medical Depot Company. Like most of his generation he rarely spoke of his war time experience.

At the conclusion of the war, he returned home and enrolled in Washington University in Saint Louis. During his time in college, he met his soon to be wife, Ruth Barnes, who at the time was dating his brother, Art. Ultimately true love prevailed, and Bill and Ruth were married in June 1949, a partnership that lasted 48 years.

Bill graduated from Wash U. with both a Bachelors and Masters degree in Geology. He was hired by the Humble Oil and Refining Company, now ExxonMobil, as a junior geologist and moved to the Houston area in 1952. He and Ruth ultimately settled in Conroe in 1961. During his 34 year tenure with Exxon he became a well respected and accomplished production geologist. He held many key supervisory and management positions within the company, advancing to the highest professional level.

Upon retiring in 1986, he and Ruth devoted a great deal of time as volunteers with the Lake Conroe Convention and Visitors Bureau. They made many friends and were named Volunteers of the Year in 1997. After Ruth's passing, Bill again received the award in 2001 and 2002.

Bill was a member of the American Association of Petroleum Geologists and the Houston Geologic Society. He was also a 53 year member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church serving in many capacities at the various turkey, spaghetti and pancake dinners through the years, as Scoutmaster of then Troop 593 and as an usher.

Bill was always the consumate gentleman. He had a wonderful sense of humor, a keen intellect and a desire to always learn. He enjoyed the company of his children, grandchildren, great grandchildren and his many friends. He will be greatly missed.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Ruth, and his brother Charles Arthur Davies. He is survived by his sister Patricia Davies Newcombe of Atlanta, sons William J. Davies, Jr. and wife Polly of Austin, Texas, their children Ryan Paulson(Drew Paulson; great grandsons Barton, Harry and Finn), Will and Hallie; Tim Davies and wife Lynn of Highlands Ranch, Colorado and their children Samantha, Patrick and Micah.

The family wishes to thank Bill's caretakers at Conroe Regional Medical Center, Vitas Hospice and most especially, Jimmie Goodman, his longtime close friend.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations to Wounded Warriors Project or the charity of your choice.

Visitation will be held at Metcalf Funeral Directors between the hours of 5:00 and 7:00 PM on Wednesday, May 21st. Services will be held at Sacred Heart Catholic Church at 11:00 AM on Thursday, 22nd. Reception to follow. He will be interned in Saint Louis, Missouri.