Mr. Martin E. "Bill" Davis, 96 of St. Augustine, passed away at 5:34 a.m. Friday, March 20, 2020, at his home.
Bill was born December 8, 1923, in Indian Point Township to Claude H. and Lura M. (Totten) Davis. He was reared in St. Augustine where he lived most of his life. After graduating from Avon High School in 1942, Bill enlisted in the Navy and served as a Gunner's Mate in the European Theatre of Operations during WW II.
He was married to Maxine Clifford on December 10, 1951, in Jerseyville, Illinois. After a divorce, Bill then married Mildred Harper on March 3, 1972, in Knoxville. She preceded him in death on June 17, 2015.
For nearly forty years, Bill was a caster at Briggs Manufacturing in Abingdon. He also worked part-time for several years for Perry and Duane Serven. He served the Village of St. Augustine as a Trustee, Water Superintendent, and Mayor. In 1991 he suffered a stroke while flushing hydrants.
The stroke ended his days in the workplace but did little to hinder his independent spirit. At age 94, he was still climbing onto his John Deere rider and mowing his yard. At 95, he was still attending ball games and track meets. He ascribed to the motto: "We're gonna keep going till we go!" - and that he almost did.
Bill's passions were food, football, firearms, and great-grandbabies. He was a member of the National Rifle Association and belonged to Harry E. Wiles American Legion Post #381 in Abingdon for 70 consecutive years.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Mildred; his parents, Lura and Jim and Claude and Jenny; his only sibling, brother Claude, and grandson, Bill.
He is survived by a foster son, Rex (and Rhonda) Kilburn of St. Augustine; one grandson, Caleb Kilburn of Seattle, Washington; two granddaughters, Mischa (and Scott) Waller and Paeton (and fiancé John Eppers) Kilburn all of East Peoria. Also surviving are six great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews, including Susan Davis of Frederick, Maryland, Priscilla Raines of Godfrey, Illinois, Claude Davis of Mesquite, Texas and John Davis of Burlington, Vermont.
Due to the Covid-19 Pandemic, private burial with military rites will be in the Abingdon Cemetery. The memorial service will be held at a later date. Hinchliff-Pearson-West Funeral Directors and Cremation Services Abingdon Chapel is in charge of arrangements.
Memorials may be made to the Wounded Warrior Project or Paralyzed Veterans of America in care of Hinchliff-Pearson-West Funeral Directors and Cremation Services Abingdon Chapel, 206 N. Washington St., Abingdon, Il 61410. Online condolences may be made at www.h-p-w.com.
Bill was born December 8, 1923, in Indian Point Township to Claude H. and Lura M. (Totten) Davis. He was reared in St. Augustine where he lived most of his life. After graduating from Avon High School in 1942, Bill enlisted in the Navy and served as a Gunner's Mate in the European Theatre of Operations during WW II.
He was married to Maxine Clifford on December 10, 1951, in Jerseyville, Illinois. After a divorce, Bill then married Mildred Harper on March 3, 1972, in Knoxville. She preceded him in death on June 17, 2015.
For nearly forty years, Bill was a caster at Briggs Manufacturing in Abingdon. He also worked part-time for several years for Perry and Duane Serven. He served the Village of St. Augustine as a Trustee, Water Superintendent, and Mayor. In 1991 he suffered a stroke while flushing hydrants.
The stroke ended his days in the workplace but did little to hinder his independent spirit. At age 94, he was still climbing onto his John Deere rider and mowing his yard. At 95, he was still attending ball games and track meets. He ascribed to the motto: "We're gonna keep going till we go!" - and that he almost did.
Bill's passions were food, football, firearms, and great-grandbabies. He was a member of the National Rifle Association and belonged to Harry E. Wiles American Legion Post #381 in Abingdon for 70 consecutive years.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Mildred; his parents, Lura and Jim and Claude and Jenny; his only sibling, brother Claude, and grandson, Bill.
He is survived by a foster son, Rex (and Rhonda) Kilburn of St. Augustine; one grandson, Caleb Kilburn of Seattle, Washington; two granddaughters, Mischa (and Scott) Waller and Paeton (and fiancé John Eppers) Kilburn all of East Peoria. Also surviving are six great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews, including Susan Davis of Frederick, Maryland, Priscilla Raines of Godfrey, Illinois, Claude Davis of Mesquite, Texas and John Davis of Burlington, Vermont.
Due to the Covid-19 Pandemic, private burial with military rites will be in the Abingdon Cemetery. The memorial service will be held at a later date. Hinchliff-Pearson-West Funeral Directors and Cremation Services Abingdon Chapel is in charge of arrangements.
Memorials may be made to the Wounded Warrior Project or Paralyzed Veterans of America in care of Hinchliff-Pearson-West Funeral Directors and Cremation Services Abingdon Chapel, 206 N. Washington St., Abingdon, Il 61410. Online condolences may be made at www.h-p-w.com.
Mr. Martin E. "Bill" Davis, 96 of St. Augustine, passed away at 5:34 a.m. Friday, March 20, 2020, at his home.
Bill was born December 8, 1923, in Indian Point Township to Claude H. and Lura M. (Totten) Davis. He was reared in St. Augustine where he lived most of his life. After graduating from Avon High School in 1942, Bill enlisted in the Navy and served as a Gunner's Mate in the European Theatre of Operations during WW II.
He was married to Maxine Clifford on December 10, 1951, in Jerseyville, Illinois. After a divorce, Bill then married Mildred Harper on March 3, 1972, in Knoxville. She preceded him in death on June 17, 2015.
For nearly forty years, Bill was a caster at Briggs Manufacturing in Abingdon. He also worked part-time for several years for Perry and Duane Serven. He served the Village of St. Augustine as a Trustee, Water Superintendent, and Mayor. In 1991 he suffered a stroke while flushing hydrants.
The stroke ended his days in the workplace but did little to hinder his independent spirit. At age 94, he was still climbing onto his John Deere rider and mowing his yard. At 95, he was still attending ball games and track meets. He ascribed to the motto: "We're gonna keep going till we go!" - and that he almost did.
Bill's passions were food, football, firearms, and great-grandbabies. He was a member of the National Rifle Association and belonged to Harry E. Wiles American Legion Post #381 in Abingdon for 70 consecutive years.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Mildred; his parents, Lura and Jim and Claude and Jenny; his only sibling, brother Claude, and grandson, Bill.
He is survived by a foster son, Rex (and Rhonda) Kilburn of St. Augustine; one grandson, Caleb Kilburn of Seattle, Washington; two granddaughters, Mischa (and Scott) Waller and Paeton (and fiancé John Eppers) Kilburn all of East Peoria. Also surviving are six great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews, including Susan Davis of Frederick, Maryland, Priscilla Raines of Godfrey, Illinois, Claude Davis of Mesquite, Texas and John Davis of Burlington, Vermont.
Due to the Covid-19 Pandemic, private burial with military rites will be in the Abingdon Cemetery. The memorial service will be held at a later date. Hinchliff-Pearson-West Funeral Directors and Cremation Services Abingdon Chapel is in charge of arrangements.
Memorials may be made to the Wounded Warrior Project or Paralyzed Veterans of America in care of Hinchliff-Pearson-West Funeral Directors and Cremation Services Abingdon Chapel, 206 N. Washington St., Abingdon, Il 61410. Online condolences may be made at www.h-p-w.com.
Bill was born December 8, 1923, in Indian Point Township to Claude H. and Lura M. (Totten) Davis. He was reared in St. Augustine where he lived most of his life. After graduating from Avon High School in 1942, Bill enlisted in the Navy and served as a Gunner's Mate in the European Theatre of Operations during WW II.
He was married to Maxine Clifford on December 10, 1951, in Jerseyville, Illinois. After a divorce, Bill then married Mildred Harper on March 3, 1972, in Knoxville. She preceded him in death on June 17, 2015.
For nearly forty years, Bill was a caster at Briggs Manufacturing in Abingdon. He also worked part-time for several years for Perry and Duane Serven. He served the Village of St. Augustine as a Trustee, Water Superintendent, and Mayor. In 1991 he suffered a stroke while flushing hydrants.
The stroke ended his days in the workplace but did little to hinder his independent spirit. At age 94, he was still climbing onto his John Deere rider and mowing his yard. At 95, he was still attending ball games and track meets. He ascribed to the motto: "We're gonna keep going till we go!" - and that he almost did.
Bill's passions were food, football, firearms, and great-grandbabies. He was a member of the National Rifle Association and belonged to Harry E. Wiles American Legion Post #381 in Abingdon for 70 consecutive years.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Mildred; his parents, Lura and Jim and Claude and Jenny; his only sibling, brother Claude, and grandson, Bill.
He is survived by a foster son, Rex (and Rhonda) Kilburn of St. Augustine; one grandson, Caleb Kilburn of Seattle, Washington; two granddaughters, Mischa (and Scott) Waller and Paeton (and fiancé John Eppers) Kilburn all of East Peoria. Also surviving are six great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews, including Susan Davis of Frederick, Maryland, Priscilla Raines of Godfrey, Illinois, Claude Davis of Mesquite, Texas and John Davis of Burlington, Vermont.
Due to the Covid-19 Pandemic, private burial with military rites will be in the Abingdon Cemetery. The memorial service will be held at a later date. Hinchliff-Pearson-West Funeral Directors and Cremation Services Abingdon Chapel is in charge of arrangements.
Memorials may be made to the Wounded Warrior Project or Paralyzed Veterans of America in care of Hinchliff-Pearson-West Funeral Directors and Cremation Services Abingdon Chapel, 206 N. Washington St., Abingdon, Il 61410. Online condolences may be made at www.h-p-w.com.
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