William Steven Davis

LT. William Steven Davis (Bill), USN, age 28, passed away on Nov. 4, 2011, after an 11-month battle with leukemia. A native of Lithonia, Bill was a 2001 graduate of St. Pius X Catholic High School, a 2005 graduate of Auburn University, and a Master’s Degree candidate at the University of Oklahoma.

Following commissioning through Auburn University, Bill proudly served his country for six years as a surface warfare officer in the Navy. He became an accomplished ship driver, winning the San Diego Shiphandling competition for guided missile frigates. Bill served as the 1st Lieutenant on the USS McClusky, stationed in San Diego, CA, and participated in counter drug operations in South America. Later, he was assigned to the USS O’Kane, stationed in Honolulu, HI, and served as a damage control officer. During his service, Bill travelled the world on six deployments, visiting over 35 countries. He loved experiencing new cultures and making new friends.

At the time of his cancer diagnosis, Bill was stationed in Naples, Italy, where he served as a desk officer to Spain and Portugal. In May 2011, he was transferred to Navy Recruiting District Atlanta, in Marietta, while undergoing treatment at Emory University Hospital.

Bill is survived by his parents, Byron Steven Davis and Denise Duane Davis of Lithonia; his sister, Melissa Davis Lerch of Mobile, Alabama; his grandmother, Lessie Davis of East Point; and numerous aunts, uncles, and cousins.

A visitation will be held from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 8, at H.M. Patterson & Son Oglethorpe Hill, 4550 Peachtree Rd. NE, Atlanta, 30319, with a rosary at 8 p.m. A funeral mass with be celebrated by Rev. Monsignor Richard Lopez on Wednesday, Nov. 9, at 10:30 a.m. at the Cathedral of Christ the King, 2699 Peachtree Rd., NE, Atlanta, 30305, with a burial immediately following at Westview Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Bill’s memory to:

Landstuhl Fisher Houses

Donations: Landstuhl Fisher Houses

CMR 402 Box 669

APO AE 09180

More information is available at www.fisherhouse-landstuhl.org