William “Bill” V. Davis

BATTLEBORO - William "Bill" Virgil Davis, Jr., age 79, devoted husband, father and grandfather, passed away peacefully in his sleep on Sunday, December 4, 2016. He was blessed to be in his home, surrounded by his loving family. Born in Wilson County, NC on August 2, 1937, he was the son of the late William V. Davis Sr. and Ida Mae Crawford Davis. He served his country in the U.S. Navy and later served his community as a police officer with the Rocky Mount Police Department. He retired from the police force in 1992 at the rank of Sergeant after nearly 30 years of service. He loved the people he was called to serve and protect and was highly esteemed among his fellow officers and respected by the citizens, even many of those he was duty-bound to arrest. After retirement, Bill enjoyed working security for Boddie-Noell Enterprises where he continued to provide protection as well as a story or two. His favorite pastime was fishing. Bill is survived by his wife of 59 years, Frances Batts Davis; his four sons Dale of Elm City, Darryl and his wife, Julie, of Rocky Mount, Dwight and his wife, Tammy, of Battleboro, and David and his wife, Donna of Nashville; his daughter, Regina Purvis and her husband, Phillip, of Charlotte; and his six grandchildren, Kristin and Randi Purvis, Dustin Davis, David and Phoenix Davis, and Meagan Barnes and her husband, Zack, with whom are expecting Bill's first great grandchild in May. He is also survived by his Aunt Ruby Davis of Highpoint A Funeral Service will be held on Thursday, December 8, 2016 at 2:00 PM in the Chapel of Wheeler and Woodlief Funeral Home & Cremation Services. Burial will follow at Rocky Mount Memorial Park. Visitation with the family will be from 12:30 PM until the time of service. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in honor of Bill to the North Carolina Fraternal Order of Police Lodge #46, 2831 N. Church Street, Rocky Mount, NC 27804 or to ADRA (Adventist Development and Relief Agency), 12501 Old Columbia Pike, Silver Spring, MD 20904. Arrangements entrusted to Wheeler and Woodlief Funeral Home & Cremation Services, 1130 N. Winstead Avenue, Rocky Mount, NC 27804. You may share memories and condolences with the family by visiting www.wheelerwoodlief.com. Visitation Wheeler & Woodlief Funeral Home & Cremation Services 1130 N. Winstead Ave. Rocky Mount, NC 27804 ID ) ); ?>"> --> 252-451-8800 --> | Thursday 12/8, 12:30 pm - 2:00 pm Service Wheeler & Woodlief Funeral Home & Cremation Services 1130 N. Winstead Ave. Rocky Mount, NC 27804 ID ) ); ?>"> --> 252-451-8800 --> | Thursday 12/8, 2:00 pm Cemetery Rocky Mount Memorial Park 4454 Dortches Blvd., Hwy 43 Rocky Mount, NC 27804