William McClure Davis September 11 1920 ? February 10 2004 died peacefully at home surrounded by his family.

He was born in Bluefield West Virginia and moved to Leesburg FL at 8 years old. He attended Stetson University on a football scholarship and also received the first tennis scholarship at Stetson serving as team captain for four years. His sports successes led him to be inducted among the first group in the Stetson Sports Hall of Fame in 1976. He also worked as a lifeguard on Daytona Beach. His flight training began while at Stetson at the DeLand Airport.

In 1941 he entered the Army Air Corps as a lieutenant. This would be the start of a long and rewarding military career. He flew his beloved P-38 ?Swamp Angel? out of Andover Field England for 7 missions. Although shot down near Chartres France he evaded capture by the German forces eventually teaming up and fighting with the French Underground. Finally he escaped France riding a bicycle and posing as a Frenchman Monsieur Jean Louis Durand. He received the Oroler of the Silver Boot which is given to those men who walked out of France rather than being captured by the enemy.

After returning to the States he received numerous awards and medals for his heroism including the Purple Heart and the Silver Star.

After graduating from Harvard Business School with an MBA he was a test pilot flying thousands of hours. He was one of the first men to fly Mach 2 and was instrumental in the development of pilot safety features including an ejection seat. He was also a pivotal part of the Dyna-Soar program a precursor to the space shuttle.

After 22 years of service he retired as a colonel and worked in private industry for 20 years with Boeing Vertol Company in Philadelphia as head of the procurement division.

For over sixty years his passion for tennis grew and he played in numerous tournaments around the world. He was a member of the Trails Racquet Club and a member of the Early Birds senior group. Also he mentored young people in tennis through the Oceans Tennis Club Youth Program.

His other passion was his family especially his lovely wife Doris. They met at Stetson and enjoyed an enduring sixty-one-year companionship exploring the world together. Their marriage is an inspiration to their daughters sons-in-law and grandchildren.

He is survived by his wife Doris daughters Lynda Wilson Tyree and Kevin Jim Lanning and grandchildren Jenna Wilson Tyra Wilson Joshua Lanning and Will Lanning.

Everyone mattered to Bill Davis and he made sure they knew it always acknowledging the people close to him. This positive attitude and sense of humor permeated everything and everyone he touched.

Contributions may be made in his memory to Hospice Volusia-Flagler

Arrangements are under the careful direction of Ormond Funeral Home. Condolences to the family may be sent via the family guestbook at www.ormondfuneralhome.com.