Billy Carr Davis

Coach Billy Carr Davis, 82, a resident of Springdale, formerly of Russellville and Gillett, died Thursday, Aug. 27, 2015, at the Willard Walker Hospice Home in Fayetteville. He was born Sept. 30, 1932, at Lonoke to Hubert Oscar and Ellen Barnett Davis. He was a graduate of Lonoke High School, where he helped lead teams in football, basketball, track and field, tennis, and baseball to many wins. He was also a 1959 graduate of Arkansas Tech University where he met and married Leotta Ladean Kerns on March 27, 1959. He and Leotta were married for 55 years until Leotta's death on April 26, 2014. He was a history teacher, football and basketball coach and driver's education instructor with the Gillett School System for 32 years. He was beloved by his players and students, many remembering him leading pep rallies through cheers like "Two Bits." He worked for the Army Corps of Engineers as a National Parks Service Ranger for 25 years after retiring from coaching. He was a United States Army veteran of the Korean War, having achieved the rank of Sergeant. He loved sports, especially basketball, football and baseball. He enjoyed fishing, and gardening as he was the envy of Gillett for his vegetable garden and catfish dinners. He always enjoyed spending time with his family and friends; was a coach to many and a friend to all; a man who never met a stranger and loved being social. He was a man of strong character, dedication, responsibility and sense of duty. He was an avid Golden Suns fan and attended every game he could cheering them on as an honorary coach. He was member of First United Methodist Church in Russellville and Gillett. He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife; two infant sons, Nathan Carr and Kevin Wayne Davis; three grandchildren, Taylor, Nathan and Emily Davis; a sister, Odessa Holzhauer; and one brother, Bobby Joe Davis. Survivors include two sons and daughters-in-law, Billy C. Davis Jr. and Rebecca E. of Fayetteville and Scott and Jennifer Davis of Dryden, New York; two granddaughters, Carlea Claire and Maysie Ann Davis, both of Dryden, N.Y.; a sister, Emma Loch of Seattle, Wash.; and many beloved nieces and nephews and Godchildren, especially Chelsea and Jake Davis. A memorial service will be held at 1 p.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 1, 2015, at First United Methodist Church in Russellville with the Rev. Gail Brooks officiating. Burial will be private in McFadden Cemetery at Dover under the direction of Humphrey Funeral Service. The family will receive friends immediately following the memorial service on Tuesday at the church. The online obituary and guestbook are available at www.humphreyfuneral.com.