William Alan 'Bill' Davis, 84

William Alan “Bill” Davis, 84, passed away of a sudden heart attack on June 10, 2011, in Kalispell. 

He was born on March 28, 1927, in Carnegie, Pa., to H. John and Izetta Davis. Bill attended grade school and high school in Carnegie. Upon graduation, he joined the Coast Guard and was stationed in the South Pacific during the later part of World War II.

Bill shared the joy of flying with his three older brothers, Jack, Art and Homer. For several years following the end of the war, the four of them operated Davis Brothers Flying Service at the Covington airstrip in Daleville, Pa. There are a number of interesting stories connected with their time operating the airport.

Bill met the love of his life, Audrey, at the airfield, and they were married on Oct. 14, 1950. They had two children, a daughter, Barbara, and a son, Kim.

Bill spent almost his entire working career as an agent for Nationwide Insurance. His outgoing, very friendly nature served him well in the business.

He was actively involved in the Moscow community through the Methodist church and the youth group at the church. He was the treasurer of the Moscow Borough for 34 years, as well as a member of the local Lions organization and the Masonic Lodge.

Large family gatherings were a joy to Bill. He seemed to thrive on the interaction of the young and old who hadn't seen each other in a while. Bill's interest in photography and travel blended well. Early camping trips up and down the East Coast led to extended trips through many of the western states and many trips to Mexico. He visited the islands of St. John and Tortola in the Caribbean nearly a dozen times, along with several trips to Hawaii and Alaska. 

Bill and Audrey moved to Kalispell in 1991. Their life as snowbirds began at that time, and they enjoyed the best that both Florida and Montana had to offer. Bill's favorite pastime was spending time in Glacier National Park. Over the past several years, he had volunteered at the transportation center in Apgar. He enjoyed day trips but even better were the multiple overnight stays in the campgrounds. Two Medicine and Many Glacier were high on his list. He loved walking the trails and looking for grizzlies and moose. Pie at the Park Cafe was usually a part of any Glacier Park visit.

Bill also took great care of the deer, birds and other wildlife that frequented his yard. He enjoyed watching them come in every day.

Bill was preceded in death by his parents; and wife, Audrey. 

He is survived by a daughter, Barbara Davis Hinkley and her husband, Tom, of Yuba City, Calif.; a son, W. Kim Davis and his wife, Janet, of Kalispell; his grandchildren, Chelsea Vincent of Gainesville, Fla., and Chloe Googe and her husband, Jason, of Fort Leonard Wood, Mo.; his three brothers, Art of Shelton, Conn., Homer and his wife, Ann, of Rocky Point, N.C.; and Jack and his wife, Olive, of Mount Pocono, Pa.

A memorial service in celebration of his life will be held at 2 p.m. July 14 at Johnson-Gloschat Funeral Home, with Pastor Ed Koteskey officiating.

In lieu of flowers and memorials, Bill's family would like to suggest that interested people consider donations to the American Heart Association or a charity of their choice.

Johnson-Gloschat Funeral Home is caring for Bill's family. You are invited to go to www.jgfuneralhome.com to offer condolences and sign Bill's guest book.