William A. Davis

“Box-Car”

William Allen Davis, age 78 of Mio, Michigan, passed away at home with his family by his side on Sunday, August 17th, 2025.

“Bill” was born in Grayling, Michigan, on February 14th, 1947, to the late Lomer and Elsie (Lamotte) Davis.  Bill grew up in West Branch with his parents and younger sister Carol.  Growing up, Bill Learned how to fly-fish and hunt at an early age, with the help of many family members, especially his great-grandfather, Ami Davis.  In school, Bill was very active in sports, playing baseball, basketball, football, bowling, and track.  Bill graduated from Ogemaw Heights High School in 1964.  The day after he graduated, he took a job as a shipyard welder.  He worked one day, and when he got home, his father told him Saginaw Steering Gear called.  He took that job until his retirement in 1995.  While working for S.S,G. Bill enlisted in the U.S. Air Force.  He served from 1965 to 1969 as an airplane mechanic and received an honorable discharge and the rank of Sargent.  Once his military career was finished, he returned to his job at S.S.G.. One day, while having lunch at Hills  Restaurant in Bay City, Michigan, Bill met the love of his life Sharron Clark, and later met her son, Wade.  The two fell in love and after only one month, they married and he adopted Wade in March of 1972. To hear Sharron tell it, the wedding almost didn’t happen, as Bill was watching an NCAA Tournament basketball game that went into overtime, and he couldn’t be disturbed.  Despite this start their marriage lasted one month shy of 50 years, with Sharron's untimely passing in February of 2022.  The family of three moved to Reese, Michigan, where they had Scott and Kanndin.  From there, moving to Bridgeport, Michigan, where Petha was born.  Then, moving to Saginaw, Michigan, for 10 years.  Every summer, Bill would take his family up north camping and fishing, and in the winter months, he would go hunting and ice fishing.  Always dragging his kids with him and making sure to scare them when he drove out on the ice or on dirt roads.  Bill played second base for his UAW baseball team and was an avid bowler, reaching a high average of 221 in 1989.  He joined the semi-pro bowling circuit in the ‘80s and did well.  Upon his retirement in 1995, he moved to Mio, Michigan, with Sharron and his daughter Petha.  Where he could hunt and fish all year round. In later years, Bill became a member of the Mio Moose and the VFW.  Bill loved to fly-fish the AuSable and loved to teach how to fly-fish, as he taught many people, including his great-nephew Steven Good.  He was very well known on the AuSable, and many fishing guides would call him from other parts of the country to see if the fly hatch was on.  In his later years, you could still see Bill fly-fishing from his boat with waders on, going down the AuSable from the pavilion to the whirlpool.  Now he's back with the one that got away.

William is survived by his children, Wade (Theresa) Davis of Lewiston, Michigan, Kanndin Davis of Saginaw, Michigan and Petha (Jonas) Davis of Vallakra, Sweden, his sister Carol (Vern) Cavitch.  His nieces, Leesa (Carl) Gouin, Heather (Joseph) Klemm, Barbara (Jason) Kopka, Jessica Good, and nephew Marvin ( Melissa) Good, with 8 grandchildren and 3 great-grandkids.

William was predeceased by his parents Elsie (Lamotte) Davis in 1979, Lomer Davis in 2015, his son Scott Davis in 2020, his wife Sharron (Clark) Davis in 2022, and his stepmother Roseanne (Zettel) Davis in 2023.

In accordance with his wishes, cremation has taken place.  No services are planned.

These arrangements were handled by Lashley Funeral Home, Mio, Michigan.