Bert Wm. Davis II

Seneca, SC — Bert Wm. Davis II, of Seneca, passed away in the early morning hours of Sunday, April 26, 2020, at Cottingham Hospice House.

 

Born on Good Friday in the midst of an Omaha, NE spring blizzard on April 5, 1936, he was the first-born of Bert Wm. and Alice Priest Davis, who, along with a brother Jack (Joan) of Joplin, MO preceded him in death. He is survived by his sister, Sue Welty (Dick) of Toledo, OH and brother, Tim Davis (Gail) of Omaha, NE, as well as eight nieces and nephews. He leaves behind his wife of 53 years, Kathleen McKeeman Davis of the home, as well as their son, Mark A. Davis (Carrie) of Simpsonville, step-daughter, Sheri Sidari of West Des Moines, IA, five grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren.

 

Following a year in the Army Reserve, in 1957 he enlisted in the U.S. Air Force, where, following training at Keesler AFB in Mississippi, he served on Distant Early Warning (DEW) sites in Labrador and San Francisco during the Cold War era between the Korea and Vietnam Wars. Upon Honorable Discharge, he began to work in the aerospace industry which led to the early days of computers and ultimately positions of management of customer service for hardware in banking, securities, and other industries.

 

Upon retirement, in 1998, he and Kathleen moved to Seneca, where he could resume his boyhood love of fishing, and indulge in his late-found addiction to chasing a little white ball over a carefully manicured piece of real estate complete with pesky patches of sand and water. These pursuits led to many friendships and through them, he was introduced to a fifteen-year relationship with Oconee County Habitat for Humanity. Much of that time was spent as Floor Manager in the back section, in addition to using his technical skills to refurbish clocks, electronics, and the occasional household appliance.

 

The family will hold a celebration of life at a later date. Memorials may be made in Bert’s name to Prisma Health Hospice of the Foothills, Cottingham Hospice House, Attn: Foundation Office, Seneca, SC 29672, or the Oconee County Habitat for Humanity, www.habitat.org/donate.

Davenport Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.