Norris William "Bill" Davis Jr.

Norris "Bill" William Davis, Jr., 75, of Cole Camp, passed away Thursday, February 12, 2026, surrounded by his family at the University of Missouri Hospital in Columbia. He was born on July 14, 1950, in Kansas City, Kansas, a son of Norris William and Rose Marie (Palmisano) Davis.

Bill grew up and attended grade school in Kansas City, Kansas. He learned to play golf while working after school at the local golf course with his brother, Jack. During the summers, Bill would go to his uncle's to help on the family farm. He eventually moved there and graduated from Linn County High School. Bill went on to Vo-Tech, where he took electronics classes.

Bill began his career at Dictaphone in Kansas City, but his passion was farming so after a short career at Dictaphone he bought some land in Linn County and began farming. He was a hard worker and found he could work on the railroad simultaneously while farming. His career highlights include working as a railroad brakeman for Burlington Northern Railroad in Brookfield, Missouri, and owning House of Vacuums in Blue Springs, Raytown, and Lee's Summit.

On October 22, 1982, in Miami, Oklahoma, he was united in marriage to Sheryl Lynn Plummer. Bill was baptized in 1990 at Duncan Road Baptist Church in Blue Springs.

Bill eventually sold House of Vacuums and went to work for BB Batteries until moving to Cole Camp in June of 2001. He worked for Heet Gas Company and was a bus driver for Benton County School District in Cole Camp. He truly enjoyed the bus driving role as a way of showing love to all the children.

Bills greatest gifts in life were his family and his faith. He was an active member and a Trustee of the First Baptist Church in Cole Camp, Missouri. He enjoyed teaching his children about the outdoors and the family spent a lot of time camping, fishing, hunting, and boating. Bill was known for his ability to fix things, leading to his collection of "stuff" as he seen the potential in things that others thought were junk. Good luck kids!

He is survived by his wife of forty-three years, Sheryl Davis of the home; his children, Larena Akeson of Sedalia, Norris Davis and Rachel of Littleton, Colorado, Myles Davis of Olathe, Kansas, and Laura Cornine and Josh of Sedalia; his son-in-law, Brian Akeson of Sedalia; his siblings, Mary Burnell of Olathe, Kansas, Jack Davis and Katherine of Wheatland, Mike Davis and Joyce of Atascadero, California, Pam Frederick and Randy of West Plains, Sandy Shehan and John of Gladstone, and Ron Davis and Shari of Rockaway Beach; his grandchildren, Haley (Jordan)Sletten, Brennan Akeson, Ruby Davis, Stella Davis, Haddie Cornine, Ellis Davis, Davis Cornine, and Will Davis; and his great-grandchildren, Syrilla Sletten and Aurora Sletten.

Bill was preceded in death by his parents, Norris and Rose Marie Davis, and his brother-in-law, Rick Burnell.

Visitation will begin at 4:00 p.m. on Tuesday, February 17, 2026, at the First Baptist Church in Cole Camp with memorial services to be held at 6:00 p.m.

The family suggests memorial contributions be given to Benton County Food Pantry or First Baptist Church in care of the Fox Funeral Home, PO Box 37, Cole Camp, MO 65325.