Walter Ray Davis

1924 - 2007

Retired Colonel Walter Ray Davis died December 19, 2007 after battling cancer.
The son of Jennie Lois and Walter L. Davis, Walter Ray was born in Nashville, Tennessee on June 12, 1924. He attend the Sewanee Military Academy at the age of 13. He graduated in June of 1942, and was eligible as a graduate of the Junior ROTC Program to attended the Infantry Officer Candidate School at Fort Benning, Georgia. He received his commission as a second lieutenant at the age of 18 in February 1943. He served during the Second World War in Africa and Italy, where he met and married his first wife, Maria Pia DeRossi. He was relieved of active duty as a Captain in 1946 and returned to Tennessee. He attended the University of the South at Sewanee, Tennessee where he received his bachelors degree in English in 1949. He returned to active duty in 1950 for the Korean War. He served with honor and distinction in the United States Army until he retired as a Colonel in 1972 from White Sands Missle Range.
His first wife, Maria Pia, "Mimma", and the mother of his children Angela, Peter and Paul, died in August of 1973.
Through his love of horses he met and married Rosemary Cecelia Welch, and became the stepfather of her daughters Cammie and Nikki. Walter and Rosemary both pursued advanced degrees at New Mexico State University where Walter received a Doctorate in Education and Rosemary received a Masters in Political Science. They both were members of Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society. Together, Walter and Rosemary lived in the Mesilla Valley and established and operated the Davis Horse Farm for registered thoroughbreds for 22 years. They successfully raised, bred and raced horses at Sunland Park and Ruidoso Downs. He was devoted to his wife of 33 years and enjoyed riding until his death. He had an ear for music, and eye for design, a knack for how things worked, a feel for animals, was a leader in the service, an inspiration in the classroom, loved history, loved his country, had a great sense of humor, and was a compelling storyteller.
He is survived by his devoted wife Rosemary, his daughter and son-in-law Angela and William Crawford in Nashville, TN; his son and daughter-in-law Peter and Phoebe in Chicago, IL; his son and daughter-in-law Paul and Amy in Ventura, Ca.; his step daughter and son-in-law Camille and Dan Oburn in Wichita, KS; his step daughter Nikki Welch in Spokane, Wa.; grandchildren Billy Crawford, Eric Crawford, Cassandra Oburn, Kyle Oburn, Shalisa Oburn, and Chad Welch, six great grandchildren, his sister Marion (Robert) Metke, and three nieces Melody, Martha and Molly.
A memorial service, with military honors, will be held at the Getz Funeral Home Chapel on January 11, 2008 at 2pm.
Arrangements by Getz Funeral Home corner of Solano and Bowman Ave., Las Cruces, NM 526-2419. To sign the local online guest book go to www.GetzFuneralHome.com