Raised in Austin, Texas, he had witnessed many changes over the years. Wilbur recently visited the latest Austin Public Library on Caesar Chavez Street and was amazed at just how much his Austin has changed.
Wilbur’s dad owned Home Steam Laundry and Cleaners and Nora worked at the downtown Scarborough’s Department Store. Wilbur grew up working at his dad’s laundry while attending Baker Elementary School and University Junior High School. He was also a proud Maroon at Austin High School, where he was a band member, National Honor Society member, editor of the Austin High Yearbook, as well as Vice President of the Student Council.
Wilbur went on to attend college at Texas A&M beginning in 1943 as a distinguished Student Cadet. He then began his service to his country, starting in WWII as a Flight Bomber Navigator. After the war, he returned to college, this time at the University of Texas at Austin, where he was a member of the Delta Tau Delta fraternity, Pi Tau Sigma (honorary ME) and Tau Beta Pi (honorary Engineering).
At UT, he met Delta Gamma sorority girl Doris. L. Miller and found the love of his life. He and Doris were married in December of 1949. After college, Wilbur took over the family business Home Stream Laundry and Cleaners.
His beloved Doris Davis passed away on February 1, 2017, after 68 years of a wonderful and giving marriage, filled with service to their churches, Hyde Park Methodist, Asbury UMC, Memorial UMC and, and since 1985, the Westlake United Methodist Church. Together, they enjoyed giving of themselves to others in their community by volunteering their services at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center beginning in 1995 and Wilbur also gave his time and energy to Habitat for Humanity as a construction volunteer in 1999. He and Doris also delivered Meals on Wheels.
Wilbur was a founding member of Xeriscape Austin, in an effort to conserve Austin’s water and educate others about the use of native plants, known as “native scaping.” His work was cited in several Central Texas “Water Wise” gardening books.
Wilbur was very active in The Boy Scouts of America and advocated its philosophies and teachings. Beginning in 1966, he was a Wood Badge Course Director and trained future Scoutmasters. His motto was always “Be Prepared.” He believed in service to God and Country and in a duty of service to others and to oneself, as symbolized by the Boy Scout emblem of the Fleur de Lis and that emblem is proudly displayed upon his headstone. After passing the family business to his son in 1991, Wilbur and Doris joined several square-dancing clubs and enjoyed taking luxury tours across the U.S.
Wilbur is survived by his children Robert L. Davis and wife Laura; Debra Harding Soule and husband Barry Soule; and Jon Davis; and his nephew Bill Spradlin and wife Linda. He is also survived by his grandchildren, Renee Rose and husband Jack; Amanda Haisler and husband Dustin; Leslie Mulroney and her husband Brian; Christina Green and husband Caleb; Derik Harding and wife Cassandra; Zach Davis and Seth Davis and Kallee Soule; and his ten great-grandchildren Kaden, Malachi, Eden, Cooper, Cayson, Jaymie, Rhett, Brantley, Aurelia and Liberty.
Wilbur was always proud of how hard working his family was to accomplish their goals, as his family will always be so proud of his accomplishments, his loyalty to the city of Austin, his service to others, and in teaching us all just want it means to be a “Good Guy.”
