James "Byron" Davis

Born January 5, 1959 in Bloomington to James Elmer and Marian Louis (Moneymaker) Davis, he married Jane Ann on November 22, 1982 in Peoria.

Surviving are his wife of 40 years; three sons, Dave (Kelly) Swanson of Peoria, Mike (Jennifer) Swanson of Chillicothe and James Bryce (Moriah) Davis of Westerville, Ohio and nine grandchildren, Collin, Annie, Drew, Kylie, Alex, Sawyer, Jackson, Violet and William.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

Byron had served six years as a Staff Sergeant in the United States Army National Guard of Illinois.

He was a 1967 graduate of Tri-Valley High School in Downs. He received his Bachelor of Science Degree in Education in 1971 from Illinois State University. In 1995 he received his Master of Business Administration Degree.

Byron began his career as a math teacher in Morton. After teaching, he held various positions in Engineering, Marketing and Product Quality at Philippi-Haggenbuch in Peoria, Grove Crane, Pennsylvania and Shady Grove, Pennsylvania. He retired from Manitowoc Crane in Manitowoc, Wisconsin in 2016.

A beloved husband, father and grandfather, Byron touched many lived with his kindness and grace. He taught life lessons to his children and grandchildren.

Byron enjoyed traveling with his wife, riding his motorcycle, teaching country-western dancing and working with Habitat for Humanity and Love, Inc. He was a skilled woodworker, whose grandchildren always waited for his special keepsake gift at Christmas.

He was a very active member of Zion Evangelical Covenant Church in Sheboygan, where he enjoyed playing his guitar in the praise team.

His graveside service will be at 3 p.m. Friday, May 12, 2023 at Prairie Haven Cemetery in Pekin. Pastor John Plunkett will officiate.

Local arrangements have been entrusted to Preston-Hanley Funeral Homes & Crematory in Pekin.

Memorial contributions may be given in Byron’s name to Love, Inc. P.O. Box 127, Jenison, Michigan 49429 or Zion Evangelical Covenant Church, 1125 N 6th St, Sheboygan, Wisconsin 53081.

To express condolences online, visit www.preston-hanley.com