MEMORIAL-WILLIE J. DAVIS

Illinois General Assembly - Full Text of SR0634

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SR0634 - 104th General Assembly

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SR0634
LRB104 20923 RMO 34691 r
1
SENATE RESOLUTION

2

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened
3
to learn of the death of Willie James Davis of the Washington
4
Heights neighborhood of Chicago, who passed away on February
5
10, 2026; and

6

WHEREAS, Willie Davis, the son of Hezekiah "H.D." and
7
Mazzie Lee Davis, was born in Parkdale, Arkansas on June 28,
8
1945; he was raised on a plantation where his family
9
transitioned from sharecropping to land ownership in 1961, a
10
milestone he carried with pride; he committed to his faith at
11
an early age at Penny Chapel Christian Methodist Episcopal
12
Church; he attended Savage Junior High and LeGrande High
13
School, segregated schools where basketball, football, and
14
baseball were a major part of his youth; he pursued a
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bachelor's degree in sociology at the University of Arkansas
16
Pine Bluff and was drafted into the Vietnam War soon
17
afterward; following his honorable discharge in 1969, he
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married Ruby Jewel Morgan in 1971; and

19

WHEREAS, Willie Davis and his wife built a fulfilling life
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together in Chicago's Washington Heights neighborhood; he
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worked as an operational engineer for the Metropolitan Water
22
Reclamation District for over 30 years and remained committed
23
to lifelong learning, earning additional certifications and

SR0634
- 2 -
LRB104 20923 RMO 34691 r
1
licenses to excel in his field; and

2

WHEREAS, Willie Davis participated in recreational sports
3
for many years, often competing with younger players and
4
frequently coming out ahead; he loved to dance and was known
5
for his distinctive fashion sense and impeccably polished
6
shoes; he was deeply involved in his community and supported
7
organizations such as UNCF, the ArkChi Club of Chicago, the
8
Southside Youth Basketball Association, and the Chicago Alumni
9
Chapter of the University of Arkansas Pine Bluff; and

10

WHEREAS, Willie Davis experienced profound loss when his
11
wife passed away on October 16, 2013; however, life still had
12
companionship in store for him, and he formed a special
13
friendship with his neighbor, Dr. Cora Suddoth-Gore, who was
14
an unwavering source of comfort and support in his final days;
15
and

16

WHEREAS, Willie Davis was preceded in death by his wife;
17
his parents; and his siblings, Benny, Mattie C., Elmorean, and
18
Christine; and

19

WHEREAS, Willie Davis is survived by his siblings, U.S.
20
Congressman Danny K. (Vera) Davis, Jesse Davis Sr., Dr. Ceola
21
Davis-Barnes, Barbara Nelson Lawrence, Floretta Davis, and Dr.
22
Cedrick Sterrett; his daughters, Crystal (Phillip) Hamm and

SR0634
- 3 -
LRB104 20923 RMO 34691 r
1
Raquel (Craig-Lee) Ferrell; his son, Stephen Fyre; his
2
grandchildren; his great-grandchildren; his nieces and
3
nephews; and many great-nieces, great-nephews, extended family
4
members, and friends; therefore, be it

5

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDRED FOURTH GENERAL
6
ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of
7
Willie James Davis and extend our sincere condolences to his
8
family, friends, and all who knew and loved him; and be it
9
further

10

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be
11
presented to the family of Willie Davis as an expression of our
12
deepest sympathy.

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