WASHINGTON - Samuel Ellis Davis Jr., 75, of Washington passed away at 5:27 p.m. Thursday, March 21, 2013, at OSF Saint Francis Medical Center in Peoria.

Sam was born on April 14, 1937, in Seymour, Tenn., to Samuel Ellis and Ida Ellen Garner Davis, Sr. He married Karen Graves in Peoria on Aug. 23, 1975. Karen survives. Also surviving are four daughters, Janet (Bob) Goble of Knoxville, Tenn., Cindi (Al) Hitch of Alcoa, Tenn., Patricia Halstead Ward and Carey (Don) Knight, both of Maryville, Tenn; one son, Gerald "Jerry" (Jeanne) Davis of Washington; four sisters, Betty (Lynn) Potter of Maryville, Mary (Carroll) Matthews of Sevierville, Tenn., Nancy (Joe) Smith and Beverly Trundle, both of Knoxville, Tenn.; two brothers, John (Betty) Davis and Leon (Margaretta) Davis, both of Maryville; 12 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren.

Sam owned and operated Sam's Standard Station in Washington during the 1970s and also did towing in the area. Prior to that Sam worked for Caterpillar in the foundry at Mapleton. He was referred to as the "best mechanic in town."

Sam was a member of the Caterpillar Square Dance Club, he enjoyed traveling, fishing when he could and in recent years enjoyed his coffee on Saturday mornings at Hardee's.

He was a member of Beverly Manor Missionary Baptist Church.

Funeral services for Sam will be held on Tuesday, March 26, 2013, at 11 a.m. at Mason-White Funeral Home in Washington with Pastor Mike McCosky officiating. Burial will follow in Hillcrest Memory Gardens, south of Washington. Visitation for Sam will be on Monday from 5 to 7 p.m. and one hour prior to services on Tuesday.

Memorials may be directed to his church. Online condolences to the family may be made at masonfuneralhomes.com.

Published in Peoria Journal Star on March 24, 2013