William Davy, Jr

William E. Davy, Jr.

Age 81 of Wilmington, passed away Thursday evening March 14, 2013 at home.

Born October 29, 1931 in the family home on Widows Road in Wilmington, Bill was a son of the late William, Sr. and Bernice Singleton-Davy. He was raised and educated in Wilmington and graduated from Wilmington Central School in 1949. Immediately after graduation, Bill began working. His strong work ethic, willpower and ability to overcome obstacles took him from initially grading lawns and making driveways to operating bulldozers. He became a construction superintendent in the suburbs of Chicago and also worked over a year in Kentucky, building 30 miles of the Kentucky Turnpike. In the 1970's Bill began looking to work on his own projects. He initially joined up with his Central School classmate William Whitmore and later Julius "Sippi" Shell. Together the three men worked together to develop Winchester Green Shopping Center. In his childhood Bill's friends nicknamed him "Wee", originated by his initials W.E. After building the shopping center, It was fitting that Bill's nickname was incorporated with his business partner and friend Julius Shell's nickname "Sippi" when naming the liquor store "Wee-Sip". Together "Wee" and "Sippi" owned the liquor store together for numerous years. Later Bill developed Davy Industrial Park, which bears the thoroughfare Davy Lane. Bill demonstrated his passion for real estate, and his work will remain a part of Wilmington's past, as well as its future. Bill was a member of the Wilmington Lodge #208 A.F. & A.M., served on the Planning and Zoning Commission for the City of Wilmington and represented Ward 4 for several years on the City Council. Aside from politics and business, in recent years Bill greatly enjoyed traveling and spending time with his wife, and friends whom he embraced as family.

Survivors include his wife Helen Marie Hoppe-Davy, whom he married on November 23, 2009; daughter Laura (Jonathan) Fanelli of Orlando, Florida; step-son Steve Evans of Wilmington; four grandchildren: Brianna, Cristian, Michael and Daniel; two great grandchildren: Delia and Corrina; one sister Margaret (Max) Mort of Anthony, New Mexico; nephews: Daniel Mort and David Mort, as well as his special nephew: Tom (Jackie) Mort; one niece Jennifer (Randy) Jones; nine great nieces and nephews, and two sisters-in-law: Georgia (Bill) Phelan of Wilmington and Rita McGrath of Manhattan.

Bill was preceded in death by his parents.

Visitation and Video Tribute will be held on Thursday March 21, 2013 from 2:00PM until time of Masonic Services 7:00PM at Freitag-Reeves & Baskerville Funeral Home, 700 East Kahler Road in Wilmington. Funeral services will follow Friday morning, March 22nd at 10:00AM in the funeral home with Reverend Dr. Roy Backus officiating. Burial will be in Oakwood Cemetery, Wilmington.

Pallbearers will be: Tom Mort, Jerry Nugent, Bill Phelan, Rich Princko, Mark Shell and Bernie Warriner.

Preferred memorials may be made as gifts in Bill's memory to Wilmington Emergency Services and Disaster Agency (ESDA), 103 North Main Street, Wilmington, Illinois 60481 or Kuzma Care Cottage, 635 South Main Street, Wilmington, Illinois 60481

Friends may sign the online guestbook or send private condolences to the family by logging onto: www.FRBfuneral.com

Funeral services and arrangements have been made under the direction and care of Matthew R. Baskerville, CFSP. (815/476-2181)