Willis Walton Davis

Willis was born July 16, 1928 in Duplin County near Warsaw, N.C. He lived most of his childhood outside of Clinton in Sampson County on the farm.

He graduated from Clinton High School in 1945. The year he graduated, he was President of his class, President of the Student Council and was voted by the faculty and student body “Best All Around” in the school. After graduating, he “cared for” his invalid father until December 1950, at which time he was inducted into the US Army. One month before he was inducted, he married Mary Jeanette (Jenny) King.

He was stationed at Fort Jackson, S.C. for his basic training. After basic training, he was assigned to Post Headquarters in the Adjutant General Corp where he remained until he was honorably discharged in December 1952.

Then deciding to attend the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, he received a BS Degree in Business Administration in three years and went on to become a Certified Public Accountant. He joined the firm Williams, Urquhart and Ficklin, a CPA firm, which was later acquired by Peat, Marwick and Mitchell. Attaining the level of “manager” he left to go with one of his clients, Cameron Brown Company. He was promoted to Financial Vice President and was transferred to Charlotte, N.C. After a few years, he went with the Bank of Boston Mortgage Company as Financial Vice President of the Charlotte division. His division was later moved to the company’s headquarters in Jacksonville, FL, at which time Willis retired and came back to Raleigh.

He was a founding member of North Ridge Country Club and served on the board as Secretary. He retained his membership while living in Charlotte and was a member of Carmel Country Club there.

Much of Willis’ social life in Raleigh was centered around North Ridge. He played golf, tennis and attended many of the social events there. He purchased the second lot sold at North Ridge (adjacent to the first fairway on the Lakes Course).

He was a member of Trinity Baptist Church. He sang in the Longview Baptist choir for many years, was a member of the Board of Deacons, and taught Sunday school.

Loving music all his life, he learned to play the piano, guitar and banjo at approximately twelve years old.

Willis is pre-deceased by his daughter, Kimberly Davis Day of Marietta, GA and survived by his wife Jeanette Davis, his daughter Kelly Isaacs of Holly Springs, NC, four grandsons, Davis and Cameron Day of Marietta, GA, and Christopher and Michael Isaacs of Holly Springs, NC.

Willis loved his family dearly and was very attentive to their every need and desire. He lived a long and productive life. He touched many people throughout his life through his music, his great sense of humor, and compassion.