William Davidson Obituary

William John “Bill” Davidson, 60, of Battle Creek and formerly of Fenton, Mich., and Terre Haute, died in his residence Wednesday, Sept. 24, 2008. He was born in Terre Haute, to Herbert and Hallie (Sterling) Davidson on April 7, 1948. His parents died before his 11th birthday and his older brother and wife, Thomas and Rosedeana Davidson, whom he called Mom and Dad, finished raising Bill. Bill was a 1966 graduate of Lake Fenton High School, attended Adrian College and received a Bachelor of Business Administration from the University of Michigan in 1984. He served in the U.S. Army for nearly three years and then served in the U.S. Navy for nearly five years. While serving in the Navy, he was a legal clerk to Vice Admiral Samuel Lee Gravely, the first black naval officer to command a warship and fleet. Bill also received the Colclough Award as top graduate of the U.S. Navy Legal Clerical School. He was employed as a scheduling clerk supervisor, administrative assistant, payroll specialist, ADP coordinator and worked in the messenger pool at VA Medical Centers in Charleston, S.C., Ann Arbor, Mich., and Battle Creek from 1976 to present.Bill was formerly married to Margaret R. (Judson) Davidson, now deceased. Survivors include his former wife, Cheryl L. (Ball) Davidson of Battle Creek; two sons, Matthew (Elizabeth) Davidson of Lowell and Zane Davidson of Battle Creek; a daughter, Chelsea Davidson of Battle Creek; his parents of Oscoda, Mich.; a sister, Johanna (Bob) Moreland of Terre Haute; brothers, Tom “Ted” (Kathleen) Davidson of Chesterton, Ind., Bob (Ward Lindsay) Davidson of Fenton, Jim (Jacqueline) Davidson of Swartz Creek, Mich., and Herb (Sherry) Davidson of Fenton.Bill was musically inclined, played the guitar, saxophone and accordion. In high school and college, he played in a band known as “The Martells.” He coached little league baseball for many years and enjoyed arts and crafts. He also enjoyed spending time outdoors, especially fishing and golfing. Most of all he loved making others laugh. Bill was a lifelong Christian and attended various churches. At the request of the family, friends may call 2 to 5 p.m. today and 6 to 8 p.m. in Farley-Estes and Dowdle Funeral Home, in Battle Creek. Funeral services to celebrate Bill’s life are 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, Sept, 30, 2008, in the funeral home officiated by the Rev. Clifford J. Furness. Military honors and committal will follow in Fort Custer National Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to an educational fund for his children, Zane and Chelsea. Donations may be made at the funeral home, or sent c/o Matt Davidson, 13051 Vergennes St., Lowell, MI, 49331.