Willard Davey

1928 - 2025

Willard Davey

January 17, 1928 - August 7, 2025

Willard "Bill" Allen Davey finished his last round at The Classic at Hillcrest Greens in Altoona, Wisconsin on August 7, 2025 and headed into heaven's clubhouse for a glorious rest.

Born to Wilbur Thomas Davey and Nellie Grace (Paynter) Davey on January 17, 1928 in the tiny village of Albertville, Wisconsin. At birth Bill already had three other "mothers", his older sisters Milldred, Eleanor and Winifred. A year later he was joined by his brother Kenneth who became his sidekick and fellow mischief maker.

In his early years Bill was educated on the farm and went to school in Albertville. Later he went to Chippewa Falls High School, living part time with his sisters who taught at the elementary school and sometimes riding the bus from Albertville. It was on the bus he met Betty Ruth Johnson. He was so smitten that he told her that someday he was going to marry her. That dream came true on June 19, 1948. They raised a family of three sons, Thomas, Bruce and Michael. Their marriage of 77 years might not be a record but it stands a proud achievement.

Bill inherited many things from his father including a dry British sense of humor, a love of telling a story and an attitude of optimism. He was always looking for the good in any situation. One recent day as he sat looking out the memory care window the facility podiatry nurse came up to him and said, "Not much to see on a cruddy, rainy day." He responded, "That's your opinion. It's a great day if you're a farmer."

After high school graduation Bill's brother-in-law, Roy, encouraged him to apply for a job in the machine shop of Sterling Pulp & Paper Company. He was hired and spent the next 40 years there, eventually being named the Maintenance Foreman for the entire paper mill. After retirement, Bill and Betty decided that it would be much more fun to live in the warm climate of northern Florida, so they moved to the Fort Walton Beach area, where they stayed for 30 years. Although Bill had been a golfer while living in Wisconsin, he now was able to golf daily. He continued to play into his late 80s claiming to have scored an 18-hole round of 85 to match his age.

Throughout life Bill was always eager to learn new things. As a teenager he raised cattle on the farm and at 17 was named by the Wisconsin Guernsey Breeders Association as one of the top junior breeders in the State. This earned him a trip to Milwaukee to meet with the Association. Soon after marrying he decided that photography was interesting. Not only did he buy a camera, he created a dark room and began to develop his own film and print photos. When they built their first house on Eleventh Street in Eau Claire, he learned plumbing and electrical work and then added a garage. He was a mason, woodworker, gardener (building his own greenhouse, naturally), fisherman and TV repairman. In his 60s he embraced computer technology and bookkeeping, which he did for several small businesses and his church.

Bill was never stingy with his knowledge or skills. He was always willing and ready to help his children and friends with a project and show them that you can do anything if you have a good teacher and are willing to try.

Bill was preceded in death by his parents, step mother and all of his siblings and their partners. He leaves to mourn him his wife, Betty; sons, Thomas (Nancy), Bruce and Michael (Margy); eight grandchildren and twelve great grandchildren.

We are certain that Bill is now happily giving pointers on putting to St. Peter on heaven's number one green and looking forward to a great round.

The family would like to extend its heartfelt thanks to The Classic at Hillcrest Greens and St. Croix Hospice for the friendship, amazing skills and tender loving care they provided to all of us during the time Bill was in their care. You gave us support in more ways than we can count.

A funeral service will be held at The Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd, 1120 Cedar Street, Eau Claire, Wisconsin on August 23, 2025 at 11:00AM, with Pastor Jeff Carlson officiating. Visitation with the family will be one hour prior to the service. Online condolences may be shared at www.lenmarkfh.com.

In lieu of flowers memorials may be given to the Good Shepherd Endowment Fund in care of the church.