William Davis Obituary

William Dell Davis born July 17, 1944 in Antioch, CA died at home in San Francisco February 8th of pancreatic cancer. Bill grew up in the Bay Area and Williamsburg, Virginia, and graduated from Johns Hopkins University in 1968. A devoted violinist, he played with his string quartet for 25 years. Bill also performed with the La Jolla Symphony and was a founding member of the Bay Area Rainbow Symphony (BARS). After working on McGovern's presidential campaign, he studied city planning at USC, going on to become Director of Local Agency Formation Commissions of San Diego, Santa Cruz and San Mateo Counties. He moved to San Francisco in 1986, and volunteered as caregiver for AIDS patients through the SHANTI Project. Bill loved European history, collected historical maps and train schedules, enjoyed running, hiking, camping, and traveling. He could always recommend sites to visit, hotels, restaurants, and great music. Understated and modest, Bill was an avid reader. Bill is survived by his life partner of 25 years, Dr. Frederick J. Fox, sister Jean Davis (Greg Young) of Forestville, CA, brother Jerry Davis of Cary, NC, niece Jody King (Ben Barros) and great-nephews Griffin and Brayden Barros-King of Mechanicsburg, PA. Bill was predeceased by parents Clyde and Elizabeth Heaton Davis. Bill will be missed by a wide circle of friends who admired his strength, courage, integrity, humility, intelligence, natty attire, and thoughtfulness. A memorial will be held at noon, Sunday, March 17, 2013 at The Chapel at Park Hill, 351-355 Buena Vista Avenue East in San Francisco where he and Dr. Fox lived. Charitable contributions may be made to BARS (bars-sf.org) in Bill's memory.

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Published by San Francisco Chronicle from Feb. 14 to Feb. 17, 2013.

Memories and Condolences
for William Davis

8 Entries

J M

February 12, 2023

Dear Brother Bill, I cannot believe that it has been ten years. Your presence, and our shared past, lives on in my heart and in my head--maybe that means that you live on in my soul. I am so glad that we took that last trip to Yosemite with Fred and Greg, and that I have some photos from those special days. I remember camping there long ago, with Mom, Dad, and Jerry, while Aunt Peggy (and maybe Grandma Heaton?) stayed in a cabin or hotel. Peace, dear Bill

Jean Davis

February 8, 2021

Dear brother Bill, I still miss you and think of you each day. I miss being able to just pick up the phone and talk to you. You were always on my side. You made the world a better place, and your spirit lives on in the memories of the many friends whose lives you touched.

Fred Fox and Bill Davis June 2012 in NY

Frederick J. Fox

March 12, 2013

Thank you all for your kind words and support since Bill's death February 8th. Bill was an amazingly kind and thoughtful human being, whose love, steadfastness, and efforts for friends were always without reservation and without fanfare. His presence is missed by so many; his memory lives on for his great and good deeds, his kind heart and humble demeanor, and his brilliant brain. Rest in peace, Love of my life.

Jean Davis

March 6, 2013

Thank-you everyone, for the memories of my dear brother Bill. When he was first diagnosed, I told him that he had many friends who cared about him. He said that yes, he was lucky that way. I replied that it wasn't luck; he had many friends because he was who he was. I will share some memories at the service for him next weekend. I can't tell you how sad it is that he has gone. He made the world a better place, and I could not have asked for a better brother.

Bill at Johns Hopkins in 1966, photo by Andy Backus

Chris Lilly Backus

February 25, 2013

We met Bill during his days at Johns Hopkins. I remember his fascination with city planning. He and my husband, Andy, played violin and piano sonatas, which were a joy to hear.

Ever the gentleman, I astonished him one time with a rather rude epithet... We were playing Scrabble and he took the spot I was eyeing to play all my letters.

We will miss his gentle spirit.

John Davenport

February 25, 2013

Bill was known to Cheryl and me through my long friendship with Fred Fox; they both honored us by playing and warming the spirits at our wedding in 2009. He will be greatly missed.

Brigitte Schmidt

February 20, 2013

Bill and I were high school classmates in Williamsburg, VA. We were friends for many years, during college and afterwards. I came to San Diego in 1973 at Bill's suggestion (I had returned to the US after a 2-yr. sojourn in Munich, Germany). I was only going to visit him for 2-3 wks. and I'm still here. At the time Bill was living in a small cottage in then funky, hippie north Mission Beach.
We had many good times together over the years and many laughs.
I shared Bill's love of classical music and attended many concerts where he played violin.
Bill also liked to dance when the occasion arose. Recently I remembered one of many amusing episodes: Bill and I were at the Top of the Cove, then one of the fancier restaurants in La Jolla. We were sitting in the bar, there was a pianist playing a baby grand, one number was quite rhythmic, suddenly Bill and I jumped up and spontaneously started dancing, people just sat there looking, some waiters were watching, then 2 other couples started dancing. There was no dance floor, the restaurant didn't have a dancing license, no one stopped us. Then we went in to dinner.
Those were the days . . . .
My thoughts are with Jean and Fred especially at this time.
Bill will be missed by the many friends he had kept in touch with over the years.

Renato Barahona

February 20, 2013

Bill and I were roommates our freshman year at Hopkins. I've so many fond memories of our times together, I wouldn't know where to begin. My deepest and most heartfelt condolences to his family and loved ones. I'll miss him profoundly.

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