Services were held Saturday, July 22, at Slininger-Schroeder Funeral Home in Jefferson for William Edward Davis, 78, of Jamaica.
Words of comfort were offered by Pastor Larry Monthei of Hope United Methodist Parish. Soloist was Kenny Monthei. Honorary bearers were Leroy Peterson and Larry Anderson.
Casket bearers were Bill Thorp, Billy Thorp, John Benson, Dennis Pittman, Ron Christenson and Steve Smith. Interment was at the Franklin Township Cemetery in Cooper.
William Edward Davis Sr. was born Nov. 9, 1938 at the Jefferson Hospital in Greene County to Ormea and Elsie (Paulson) Davis. He attended the Cooper school in Greene County.
On August 21, 1960, Eddie married Joyce Collins. Two children were born to the union: Rochelle Anne and William Edward Jr.
Eddie lived on the home farm all his life where he farmed with his father, and later, farmed on his own. Early in his farming career Eddie raised sheep, cattle, and hogs, along with crops of corn and beans. Later he stopped raising livestock but continued with the row crops.
On Dec. 14, 1998, Eddie married Joyce Godwin. Eddie and Joyce adopted Birton and Travis Davis in 2015, increasing the family to six children. They were helping Eddie farm at the time of his death.
In Eddie’s younger years, he enjoyed hunting, ice fishing, and snowmobiling. In later years, he enjoyed golfing and he and Joyce bowled on league teams. They enjoyed traveling on ships and driving through different states. He liked seeing the different crops in each state.
In 2011, Eddie became a proud partner with his dog, Babe. She was by his side everywhere he went.
Eddie died July 19, 2017 at the Greene County Medical Center, Jefferson, Iowa. He was 78 years of age. He was preceded in death by his parents Ormea and Elsie Davis; his nephew Dwight Snowgren; brothers-in-law James and Joe Godwin; and parents-in-law Gloria and Doyle Thede and Edward Godwin.
Eddie is survived by his wife Joyce Davis of Jamaica; daughter Rochelle “Shelly” and husband Keith Schaffer of Grand Junction; son William “Bill” Davis and grandson Billy Davis of Jefferson; adopted sons Birt (Mae) Davis of Jefferson and Travis (Morgan) Davis of Cooper; stepdaughter Tammy Crawford of Jefferson; stepson Lyle Jesse (Ashley) Lorentzen of Jefferson; six grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; sister Betty Farley of Atlantic; brother Roland Snowgren of Rippey; nephews, nieces and lots of friends.
Services were arranged by Slininger-Schroeder Funeral Home, Jefferson.
