Submitted by: Mary Jo Koran

SBT 4/20/1999

Willie Davis

May 10, 1945 - April 15, 1999

In Loving Memory

of

Willie Davis

Willie Davis, ''Big Will,'' 53, was born on May 10, 1945, in Indianola, Miss., to the late Berton Davis and Nelson Barnett. Mr. Davis departed this life in the early morning hours of Thursday, April 15, following a brief illness. He was also preceded in death by an older brother, Emmanuel, along with an adopted daughter, Shannon.

Mr. Davis attended South Bend's Oliver School and South Bend Central High School. Most of his adult life, some 33 years, were spent in Omaha, Neb. Mr. Davis was employed by the Omaha Public School System the last several years, and was a member of the Antioch Church of God in Christ.

Mr. Davis will be remembered as a gentle giant. Friends affectionately called him ''Big Will.'' He loved the Lord, loved children, and never met a stranger. Mr. Davis always had a hearty laugh, easy grin, a twinkle in his eye and a ready joke, which he maintained until God saw fit to take him Home.

Mr. Davis leaves to cherish his memory six other adopted children: Ebony, Tabatha, Marlo, Donald, Ronald and Michael, all of Omaha; devoted friends, Floria Davis Cullum, Leonard and Winnie Harris, and Lena Murray; dear cousins, Jewel Rogers of South Bend and Ollisteen ''Steen'' (Davis) Miles of Atlanta, Ga.; along with twelve other first cousins and a host of friends.

Visitation will be from noon on Thursday, followed by a 1 p.m. funeral service at the Clark-O'Neal Funeral Home. Burial will be at Highland Cemetery, South Bend.

The Clark-O'Neal Funeral Home is entrusted with funeral services.