Walter Sherwood Davis

Wendell-Walter Sherwood Davis, Sr., 80, passed into his heavenly home on April 5, 2022 from SECU Hospice House in Smithfield, NC. Born April 20, 1941 in Johnston County, he was the son of Walter L. “Bo” & Alice Starling Davis of Clayton.

He graduated from Clayton High School, where he was a stand-out, multi-sport athlete, and East Carolina University, where he played football. He spent his long professional career in education (Raleigh City Schools, Harnett County Schools, Johnston County Schools), chemical sales (National ChemSearch), institutional foodservice (Pate-Derby, PYA-Monarch, and Sarah Lee), and residential construction & development (self-employed), before retiring in 2008. He was a long-term member of Clayton First Baptist Church where he served in many roles over the years, and was a Paul Harris Fellow and former President of the Clayton Rotary Club. He was a member of Clayton Civitan, Johnston County Home Builders, and faithful 42-year volunteer on the Clayton High School football chain gang. He will be remembered by family & friends as one who cherished his family, enjoyed good food (especially cooking pork barbecue), good conversation (especially jokes), fishing at the Outer Banks, and a good ball game. In his later years, he particularly enjoyed substitute teaching at different Johnston County high schools, where the students affectionately called him “Mr. Fredricksen” due to his resemblance to the character in the 2009 movie “Up”.

He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Sylvia Snead Davis, sons Dr. Walter S. Davis, Jr. of Winston-Salem, NC, and Whit Davis (Keren) of Wendell, NC, grandchildren Kelsey C. Evans (Terry) of Clayton, NC, Noah M. Davis (Morgan) of Green Mountain, NC, Taylor K. Davis (Leigh) of Selma, NC, and Emma C. Davis (Josh) of Ashland, VA, great-grandchildren Ava Blake Evans of Clayton, Scarlett N. Wilder-Davis of Green Mountain, NC, and Graham T. Davis of Selma, brothers Rev. Clark Davis (Mary Lou) of Bear Creek, NC and Dan Davis of Clayton, NC.

He was predeceased by his parents Walter L. “Bo” & Alice Starling Davis of Clayton, NC, and sister Glenda Davis Johnson of Clayton, NC.

A Celebration of Life service will be held on Friday, April 8, 2022 at 11am at Clayton First Baptist Church, with Dr. John Allen officiating. Family will receive visitors one hour prior at the church fellowship hall.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to SECU Hospice House-Johnston Health in Smithfield.