Dr. William C. Davis

M.S. Degree - Tuskegee Institute: Tuskegee, Alabama

Ph.D. Degree - University of ldaho: Moscow, ldaho

March 16, 2022, Dr. William Conan Davis passed away. He was doing his favorite things in life, scientific research and writing his memoirs. He was the last surviving child of Kince and Laura Davis. He is preceded in death by Ossie Davis, Essie Davis Morgan, Kenneth Davis, and James Davis. He is survived by his wife, Ocia Davis and his children, Cheryl Davis and Mark Davis (Melody); four grandchildren Evelyn Tanner, Ian Morrison, Zachary Matthews, and Kallie Morrison, and 2 great-grandchildren Dallas and Malyk.

William was born to Kince Chatman & Laura Cooper Davis on August 22, 1926 in Segregated Way Cross, Georgia. He grew up in Valdosta, Georgia, attended and graduated from Dasher High School in 1950. Upon graduation he lived in New York and attended City College of New York. During his second year he was drafted to serve in the United States Army. After serving he served in the United States Army Reserves where he earned an honorable discharge in 1959. As a reservist, he attended Talladega College, Talladega, Alabama where he majored in Chemistry and minored in Mathematics. He was involved in extracurricular activities; the National Honor Society and Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc.. He graduated in 1956.

From 1956 to 1958 William was awarded a George Washington Carver/ Ford Foundation Scholarship to study at Tuskegee Institute, Tuskegee, Alabama with a M.S. Degree in Chemistry and Mathematics. Upon graduation from Tuskegee Institute, William followed the "go west young man" trail and took off to Washington State, Pullman, Washington where he was employed in the Division of Industrial Research with Dr. Mark Adams, which led to the University of ldaho, Moscow, ldaho.

Through hard work and sacrifice, Wiliam was the first Black man to get his Ph.D. degree in 1965 from the University of ldaho, majoring in Biochemistry and Organic Chemistry.

William Conan Davis has numerous publications - beginning with Dr. Roy Chatters, Associate Nuclear Engineer, Washington State University; United Medical Laboratory in Portland, Oregon to M.K.Ticku, The University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio, Texas - to Professor Emeritus at St.Philip's. College. His legacy at St. Phillip’s College: The William C. Davis Science Building and The William C. Davis Scholarship Fund. The Fund awarded a scholarship for the 2021-2022 academic year to Jose Rodriguez.