Wayne Davis
Wayne Davis, age 90, of Maryville, passed away Saturday, December 1, 2012, after a long and fulfilling life. Those family members who passed away previously: father, Floyd Davis; mother, Julia Allen Davis; stepmother, Hattie Allen Davis; brother, Alvin “Bunt” Davis; and sisters, Maxine “Boots” Davis Arango, and Betty Davis Young. Dad was born in the Prospect area of Blount County, May 10, 1922. He loved all sports, lettered in football his junior and senior years at Everett High School and was selected to the All East Tennessee team. Upon graduation from Everett in 1942 he refused an invitation to try out at the University of Georgia, instead deciding to play for the Fighting Scots football team of Maryville College. In September 1942, Dad enlisted in the U.S. Army and entered active duty in June 1943. He served for two years during World War II in the Pacific Theater from December 1943 to December 1945, which included participation in two campaigns – New Guinea and Luzon, Philippines. Decorations include the following: World War II Victory Ribbon, Good Conduct Medal, Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal with two bronze stars, and the Philippine Liberation Ribbon with one bronze star. Returning home as a WWII veteran, Dad completed a two-year program at Knoxville Business College. This led to a 40-year career in the grocery business with Harley, Walt, and Bill Lyons. Throughout those 40 years he was a positive influence in the lives of numerous young people who worked for him as well as the community as a whole, having an instrumental role in coordinating the Lyons IGA sponsorship of the Eagleton Little League Dodgers. Dad leaves behind many who will miss him greatly, including his wife of 64 years, Lois Deane Davis; sisters, Mary Ruth Ball, Almeda “Pink” Helton, and Rhea Evelyn Patterson; sons and daughters-in-law, Alan and Donna Davis, Scott and Ann Davis, and Kent and Gloria Davis; daughters and sons-in-law, Mike and Yvonne Davis Outler, and Jon and Stacey Davis Nordquist; grandchildren, Ami Davis, Jon Davis, Emily Davis Cherry, wife of Steve Cherry, Allison Keller Reagan, wife of Jake Reagan, Megan Keller Brown, wife of Anthony Brown, Shane Davis, Brad Davis, Abby Davis, Sarah Nordquist and Katherine Nordquist; great-grandchildren, Hunter Brown, Jackson Cherry, and Lily Reagan. We would like to express our sincere appreciation to caregivers, Gwen and Wendy Banks, Cindy Tipton, Theressa Bounds, and Pam Barbera for their love and patience over the past several months. In lieu of flowers, you may send donations to Army Emergency Relief, Attn: Donations, 200 Stovall St. Room 5S33, Alexandria, VA 22332-0600, or Honor Air Knoxville, 7536 Taggart Lane Knoxville, TN 37938. The family will receive friends from 5 p.m. until 7 p.m. Tuesday at Miller Funeral Home. This will be followed by a Celebration of Life service at 7 p.m. Tuesday, December 4, 2012, at Miller Funeral Home, Magnolia Chapel, with Dr. Kenneth Dean officiating. Entombment service will be held 10 a.m. Wednesday at Grandview Mausoleum. Arrangements are by Miller Funeral Home, Maryville. 982-6041, http://www.millerfuneralhome.org
