Willie Edward Davis, the eldest son of the late Willie McKinley Davis and Mamie Beatrice Wallace Davis, was born in Charlotte, North Carolina on July 14, 1928. Willie transitioned peacefully at his home in Washington, D.C. on Monday, October 25, 2021. He was preceded in death by his siblings: Robert L. Davis; Thomas F. Davis; Sylvester Davis and Marjorie Davis and Niece, Karen (KK) Greenwood.

A native of what is known as the "Queen City of the Old North State," Charlotte, North Carolina, Willie would readily announce that "he's from "Grier Town". He was a proud member of Grier Heights Presbyterian Church.

After earning his high school diploma from Second Ward High School in Charlotte, Willie entered Johnson C. Smith University and earned a Bachelor of Science Degree. He received a Master of Arts Degree from Columbia University (New York) in 1957. Additional courses of study beyond the graduate level were completed while enrolled at Central Piedmont Community College (Charlotte, NC), Carleton College (Northfield, Minnesota), The University of Illinois (Urbana, Ill.) and The University of North Carolina (Chapel Hill, NC). Willie Davis was a community activist. He participated in the Civil Rights struggles of the 60's, including the desegregation of Mecklenburg County Public Schools. He was among the first to teach in an all-white school in Charlotte.

Willie's professional employment was very extensive. More specifically, he served as a Training Instructor and Executive Secretary of the Office of Economic Opportunity (OEO), Associate Director of the Community Services Administration (CSA), and Associate Dean of the School of Communications at Howard University.

Some of his many accomplishments are: organizing the Eastside Council on Civic and Community Affairs (ECCA) in Charlotte, NC; securing funds for Charlotte's Bureau of Training and Placement; organizing certain community action activities in Mississippi during the civil rights struggle; and designing and effecting the implementation of a career mobility program for non-professionals at the Office of Economic Opportunity. Willie served in the United States Army and was the recipient of the Korean Service Medal with two (2) Bronze Stars and the United States Service Medal while serving with the 45th Infantry Division during the Korean War.

Willie was a Ruling Elder in the Presbyterian Church and served as Co-Chair of the Presbyterian Economic Development Corporation (PEDCO), Chairman of the Witherspoon Development Corporation (WDC), Director of the Presbyterian Clearwater Summer Youth Camp, and President of the Johnson C. Smith University Metropolitan Alumni Chapter.

Willie traveled extensively in the United States, the Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico, Barbados, The Bahamas, East Africa, South Africa, West Africa, England, France, Austria, Belgium, Switzerland, Germany, Italy, Greece, Israel, Pakistan, India, Korea, Japan and the Philippines.

After retiring from the United States Department of Agriculture, Willie, a member of the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, enjoyed playing golf, singing with church choirs, collecting and listening to good music and having good conversations and discussions on subjects which relates to the present, past or future. He especially enjoyed spending time with his family and took great pride in sharing his family's history of the Wallace Clan at family reunions.

Willie leaves to cherish his memory his daughter, Lillian Jackson Aranguren (Daniel); grandson, Jackson Aranguren; Nieces, Stephanie Price-Davis and Vatronza Barbour (Michael); Cousin, Naomi Hendrick who helped care for him along with his long-time Companion, Glenda West; Godsons, Jacob Leonard and Ayo Agbaje; Goddaughter, Omolara Sularu and a host of other relatives and many friends.

In lieu of flowers, please make contributions "In honor of Willie E. Davis to Johnson C. Smith University (Memo line-JCSU Alumni Chapter, Washington, DC Metropolitan Area Endowed Scholarship Fund)." Checks can be mailed to Johnson C. Smith University, Institutional Advancement,100 Beatties Ford Road, Charlotte, NC 28216 or given to Naomi Hendrick or Glenda West.