William H. Davis Jr.

WILLIAM H. DAVIS JR., age 95, of Aberdeen, MD, died on November 6, 2006 at Seeds of Compassion Assisted Living, Aberdeen, MD. Born in New Castle, Alabama, he was the son of the late William Henry Davis Sr. and the late Gussie Alberta Williams Davis and the husband of the late Nannie Etta Fullen Davis. He worked for the Department of Defense as an engineering technician. He received two patents; one for an invention that allowed measurement of ammunition, and one for a radiographic technique. He was an Army veteran who served our country during WWII. He played pro baseball for the Knoxville Giants and the Birmingham Black Barons in the Negro League. He was a member of the NAACP, the National Urban League and the Southern Law and Poverty Center. He was also President of the PTA at Central Consolidated High School and President of the Ruff-Ross Educational Fund. Mr. Davis was an avid saltwater fisherman and was a professional, as well as recreational, photographer.

Mr. Davis is survived by a daughter, Patricia O. Coleman of Covina, CA; a son, Oliver (Bill) Townsend of Reno, NV; two brothers, Oscar Davis and Edward Davis both of Newark, NJ; one sister, Julia Jones of Birmingham, AL ; and five grandchildren.

In addition to his parents and wife, he was predeceased by four brothers, Nathaniel Davis, James Davis, Charles Davis and Lorenzo Davis; and two sisters, Gussie Humes and Evellyn Works.

Contributions may be made to the Ruff-Ross Educational Fund, 1617 Morse Road, Forest Hill, MD 21050.