George L. Davis Iii

George Levi Davis III, 61, of Byron passed away Friday, August 11, 2017 after a long and courageous battle with cancer. He was born in Rockford, the eldest son of George Jr and Joyce Davis. He attended St. Edwards Catholic School and Jefferson High School. After high school, he attended a radio broadcasting school in Minneapolis, MN. On August 20, 1977, he married his wife, Robin Smith, at St. Edwards church. They were able to celebrate their 40th wedding anniversary early on August 5. They were blessed with 3 children and 4 grandchildren, which is what kept George going during his battle with cancer. George was employed in the Rockford area throughout his life and spent 35 years as an umpire and referee for youth and high school IHSA sports. His true love was radio, however, and he loved to talk to us in his DJ voice, listen to CB radio and talk on short wave radio. George had vast knowledge of useless sports trivia and statistics that he entertained us with. The Davis Family would like to give a special thank you to Dr. A. J. Kahn, OSF Cancer Center and OSF Hospice, especially George’s nurse, Whitney.
George is leaving behind his beloved wife, Robin; daughter, Elizabeth Robinson and her husband John, of Olympia, WA; daughter, Melissa Wissinger and her husband, Robert of Stillman Valley; son, Andrew and his wife Ally, of Okinawa, Japan; grandchildren, Emma, Molly, Sean and Cameron; sisters, Kathleen (John) Sadewater, Darlene Rizzardo and Marlene (Pat) Hammack; in-laws, Rudolph and Sue Flueckiger, Todd (Lena) Smith and Vickie (Joe) Villagomez; as well as several aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins and many special friends. Predeceased by his parents, brother, Roger, father-in-law, Chip and brother-in-law, Louie Rizzardo.
Memorial service will be at 12:00 p.m. on Wednesday, August 16, 2017 at Fitzgerald Funeral Home & Crematory, Mulford Chapel, 1860 S. Mulford Road. Visitation will be from 10:00 a.m. until the time of service. Inurnment in Arlington Memorial Park Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the family for a fund to be established. To express online condolences, please visit: www.fitzgeraldfh.com.