William Earl Davis

William 'Bill' Earl Davis Jr., 91 ROCKFORD - William "Bill" Earl Davis Jr., 91, passed away Saturday, Sept. 4, 2010. He was born Dec. 21, 1918, in Moline to William E. Sr. and Edna Davis. He came to Rockford in 1951 from Akron, Ohio. He married Betty Brown in 1938; she died in February 1987. He later married Elsie M. (Johnson) Serns, who died in December 2008. He began his work with Montgomery Elevator Co. in Moline; later, he moved to Rockford, where he became president of Lamps Elevator, retiring in 1988. He served in the U.S. Navyand worked as a sonar technician on the USS Rixey; he fought in World War II in the Pacific Conflict. A member of Lutheran Church of the Good Sheppard, where he was an active leader for many years. The Boy Scouts were a big part of his life as well as amateur radio. Graduate of Rock Island High School. Survivors include his children, Dr. William (Judy) Davis of Winona, Minn., James (Jan) Davis of St. Cloud, Minn., Lawrence (Darlene) Davis of Milton, Wis., and Robert Davis of Rockford; grandchildren, Will Davis IV, Elizabeth (Tim) Baird, Kristin (Curt) Kummer, Todd (Kathy) Davis, Wayne Davis, Laura (Brian) Osburne, Josh Davis, Cara Davis and Caitlyn Davis; great-grandchildren, Stephanie, Curt, Lori, Nicole, Amy, Forrest, Jacob, Hailey, Christian, Tylor, Noah, Breiah and Aiden; and great-great-grandchildren, Lauren, Taylor, Evan and Olivia. Predeceased also by his parents. Service will at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, Sept. 8, in Lutheran Church of the Good Sheppard, with visitation from 9:30 a.m. to service time. Burial in Memorial Park Cemetery, Rock Island. Arrangements completed by Fitzgerald Funeral Home, 3910 N. Rockton Ave. In lieu of flowers, memorials to Wesley Willows and Lutheran Church of the Good Sheppard. Express condolences at online atwww.fitzgeraldfh.co