Billy Jack Davidson

Billy grew up in Tampa, Dunnellon, Chiefland, and Ocala. He played football in high school in Dunnellon. He began working at Western Electric while attending college classes, before he was drafted to serve in the U.S. Army in the Korean War as a communications chief on the front lines. Upon returning from Korea, he continued working for Western Electric. He married and had three children. He retired in 1976 from Western Electric, which later became Lucent/AT&T.

He was an avid football and baseball fan, with high school and college football being his obsession. He particularly followed the Robert E. Lee Generals, Ed White Commanders, and the Miami Hurricanes. Billy had a green thumb; growing everything from roses to fruit trees and more. He took up ballroom dancing and surprised everyone by flying to Cancun with the dance group, returning with a sombrero. He played steel guitar and loved country music until later when he said country was too sad. He trained a sheltie dog, Trixie, and had parakeets named Ladybird and Lyndon.

Billy always said that he was shy growing up, but didn’t know when to shut up as an older adult. He refused to acknowledge that he was “old”, or participate in “old” people activities. He loved music and drawing, passing those appreciations on to children and grandchildren. His favorite adages were: “a penny saved a penny earned”, “if it is worth doing then it is worth doing your best the first time around”, “better to do it right than need to undo it and do it again”, and “if you are going to use the machinery, then you need to know how to take care of it.”

His family is grateful to his caretaker Lashara Cummings of Comfort Keepers, who provided care to him during his final days.

Billy was predeceased by his parents, Leonard A. Davidson and Sallie M. Clark; four brothers, Emory, Calvin, James, and Leland Davidson; one sister, Irene Upton; and his ex-wife and longtime friend Gayle M. Davidson.

Billy is survived by his first wife Mary M. Davidson; their three children, Marsha (Ralph) Clark, Nancy (Steve) Alldread, Billy J. (Dina) Davidson, Jr., and two stepsons, Alton (Patricia) King, and Rick King. He is also survived by 10 grandchildren: Lindsey (Gerald) Teel, Jeremy (Julie) Hart, Alexander Waller, Sarah (Bryan) Stevens, Heather (Ben) Rudd, Jared Davidson, Joshua Davidson, Braden Davidson, Mary E. Davidson, and Benjamin King; and 10 great-grandchildren: Maddison, Maeghan, Garrett, Emily, Nathaniel (Summer), Rebecca, Lyla, Matthew, Charlotte, and Eleanore.

A visitation for Billy will be held Thursday, May 5, 2022 from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM at Hardage - Giddens Greenlawn Funeral Home inside the Chapel, with the Funeral Service following at 11:00 AM. Pastor Bill Turner will officiate. The Committal service will take place immediately following Greenlawn Cemetery, 4300 Beach Blvd, Jacksonville, FL 32207.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.GreenlawnJacksonville.com for the Davidson family.