William Olan Davis, Ill—affectionately known to his loved ones as Bill, Billy, Uncle Bill, and Granbilly passed away peacefully on June 2, 2026, at the age of 74. A resident of Huntington, WV, and Cincinnati, OH, Bill was born on May 24, 1952, in Bluefield, WV.

Bill grew up in Charleston, WV, where he spent his teenage years passing papers in the Kanawha City area and running the movie projector at the Village Theatre in Kanawha City and his summers working as a lifeguard at Babcock State Park in Clifftop. He furthered his education by attending Glenville State College and Marshall University, ultimately graduating from the University of Charleston. Bill went on to have an Award winning, dedicated career with Federal Express, spending 38 years with the company in both Charleston, WV, and Cincinnati, OH.

A kind and exceptionally generous man, Bill never knew a stranger. He had a lifelong passion for rhythm and music, bringing joy to others in his younger years by playing drums in a clown band. Later in life, he faithfully played the drums loud and proud every Sunday with his church's Praise band at Mount Moriah Methodist Church in Amelia, Ohio. Bill was also a great lover of animals, leaving behind his two cherished cats, Sammy Davis, Jr. and Frank Sinatra.

Perhaps Bill's most endearing trademark was his care for those around him: whether you were a lifelong friend or a brand-new acquaintance, no one ever left his house without being given a flashlight to light their way. That sense of loyalty extended to his friendships, and he maintained lifelong bonds with junior high and high school friends Larry King, Gary Rogers, Jamie Chenoweth, Rick Mullins, Bob McKinney and many others.

Above all, Bill treasured his family. He is survived by his beloved wife of 22 years and the love of his life, Mary A. Davis and her children, Pam Malpass and her children, Alexis and Bella; Allison Roe (Todd) and her children Savanah and Hunter, and several great grandchildren.

Additionally, he leaves behind sisters-in-law, Betty Lucent (Frank) and Peggy Sexton, (Frank). He will be deeply missed by his sisters, Suzanne Hart Davis, Carole Rouse Cline, and Laura Davis Ellis-Orndorff and her husband, Robert C. Orndorff. Bill was a proud uncle to his niece, Whitney C. Tharp (and her children, Hayden and Ryder Tharp), and his nephew, Andrew "Drew" LeSage Ellis, with whom he spent a great deal of time (and Drew's children, Garrison William Ellis and Jacqueline Louise Ellis), all of Charleston, WV.

Bill was preceded in death by his brother, Gregory Alan Davis; and his parents, William Olan Davis, Jr. and Jacqueline Marie LeSage Davis; and his grandparents, William Olan and Lillian Rouse Davis, and Francis Jules LeSage and Kathleen Hart Lesage.

A service and Celebration of Life honoring Bill will be held on Saturday, June 13, 2026, at 2:00 PM at Beard Mortuary, located at 3001 Third Avenue, Huntington, WV. Please leave a condolence for Bill's family on his guestbook.