William Davis Jr.

William H. Davis Jr. VIRGINIA BEACH - William Hazen Clay Davis Jr., 79, passed away Sept. 20, 2008. He was predeceased by his wife, Florence "Flo" Mary Davis. Mr. Davis retired from the U.S. Marine Corps as a lieutenant colonel and served during the Korean and Vietnam conflicts. Joining the U.S. Marine Corps before the end of the Korean War, Bill served more than 25 years as a Marine. Starting at the bottom as a buck private and working his way up through the ranks, he retired as a lieutenant colonel of artillery. In addition to several seaside and overseas peacetime tours of duty, Bill served a 13-month tour in Vietnam were he earned a Legion of Merit with Combat "V," a very prestigious award as he was a major at the time. During his service of duty, he was also awarded 15 medals, including the Victory Medal World War II and the Vietnam Gallantry Cross. After retiring from the Marines and not being content with retirement, Bill worked for several local plumbing businesses. He worked with the City of Portsmouth as an inspector with the Lead Paint Detection Program, and then transferred to the City of Newport News where he retired as a codes inspector. He often regaled his family with "sea stories" about his many years of adventures with often irate citizens. Bill was active in veteran's organizations. He was a life member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, the Marine Corps League and the Military Order of the Devil Dogs. He held several leadership roles (including 11 tours as commandant) in the John A. Lejeune Detachment of the Marine Corps in Virginia Beach and Tidewater Pound 126 of the Military Order of the Devil Dogs. Bill also served as judge advocate at the state level for the Department of Virginia and Pack of Virginia. A native of Baltimore, he became an accomplished athlete from his earliest years; in high school he was a two-sport star. During his Marine Corps career, he became an avid and proficient golfer with a handicap of 10. Lt. Col. (retired) Davis is survived by four children, Joy Michelle Conner and her children, Raymond and Alice Marie Conner, Denise Adkins and husband Dennis, Dawn Howie and husband William and their children, Michael, Wesley and Jessica Howie, and William H. Davis III and wife Belinda Safford Davis; and three great-grandchildren. Visitation will be held at Altmeyer Funeral Home, 5792 Greenwich Road, Virginia Beach, today from 7 to 8:30 p.m. with the Marine Corps League of Virginia Beach according a special rite at 7:15 p.m. The funeral will be held at the funeral home Thursday at 11 a.m. with burial to follow in Woodlawn Memorial Gardens. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Marine Corps League of Virginia Beach, P.O. Box 61462, Virginia Beach, VA 23462. Condolences may be shared with the family at www.altmeyer.com.