William Haywood Davenport

Born August 6th, 1955 in Hickory, NC, he was a son of the late Haywood Voltz Davenport and Betty Harvey Davenport. Following graduation from Hickory High School, Bill furthered his education at Wake Forest University and University of North Carolina at Charlotte where he earned his degree in architecture. His career as an architect began in 1977 where he designed various retail stores, schools and pools/clubhouses across the Charlotte area and across the Southeast. He ran his own company, SouthEnd Architecture, until his retirement in 2024.

Bill was a lifelong member of the ELCA Lutheran Church and was a nurturing and involved parent, encouraging his children in creative pursuits, independent thinking, and ethical reasoning. He adored his wife the former Yen Yen Lee whom he married in 1991. He was a devoted sports fan, being a founding member of the Carolina Panthers team and continued attending games until 2024, cheering fiercely at every event. He attended many concerts including his favorite band the Rolling Stones where he would attend with friends and sing along. At home he often enjoyed making brownies and Rice Krispies along with other activities including basketball, baseball, swimming, biking, going to the gym and long walks around town and at the beach.

He is survived by his wife of 34 years, Yen Davenport, two children, Abby Davenport of Winston Salem, and Emma Davenport of Charlotte; and his granddaughter Tara Yuki Davenport, as well as his siblings Kathy Blackburn (Bruce) of Prosperity, SC and Steve Davenport (Laura) of Greenville, SC.

A service to celebrate Bill’s life will be held at 1:30 pm on Monday, November 10th, 2025 at St.Mark's Lutheran Church, 1001 Queens Rd, Charlotte, NC 28207. The family will receive friends following the service.

For those wishing to send memorial gifts, please consider Memory and Movement of Charlotte (www.mmclt.org), Via Hospice at https://www.viagiving.org/donating or St. Marks Lutheran Church of Charlotte, 1001 Queens Rd.

Condolences may be offered at www.mcewenpinevillechapel.com