Billy Keith Davis

Visitation will be held on Saturday, August 22, 2026, starting at 1:00pm in the Johns-Ridout's Mortuary-Elmwood Chapel, 800 Dennison Avenue, SW, Birmingham, AL 35211-3812. Then, Celebration of Life Service in the Chapel. Burial follows adjacently at Elmwood Cemetery & Mausoleum. MILITARY funeral. Flowers acceptable, or donations to Gary Sinise Foundation https://www.garysinisefoundation.org/donate

He was preceded by his parents Mildred Lee (Cox) Davis and Claude Andress Davis; as well as his wife (for 70yrs), Lovie “Delores” (Thrasher) Davis; his two younger sisters: Margarete "Elaine" (Davis) Oliver; Helen "Corinne" (Davis) Davis; his younger brother: John Voight Davis; his first child of 1952; and his eldest son: Clayton Keith Davis.

Billy precedes his daughter and caregiver, Ruth Yvonne Davis; his younger son, Lyle Thrasher Davis--wife: Svetlana Davis–their daughter, (Billy’s only grandchild): Bridget Elizabeth Davis (husband: Jason Tola).

Billy was more than a wonderful husband and father, he was a brilliant man who could look at things and know how to solve any height of problems. He had the ability to do mathematical problems in his head or on an enveloped instantly. It was difficult to argue with him, because he was usually right. He tried to always play by the rules, and expected that of others. He could be the loudest voice in the room, or the silent listener gathering information to help in some way. He believed in God and the bible, and also believed in the unknown and possibilities of the universe.

Billy graduated from Oak Ridge High School in 1946. Billy’s family then settled in Birmingham, AL where he worked to attend Birmingham Southern College for: Engineering Physics; Mechanical Design; Mechanical Engineering; and Metallurgy.

In 1948, Billy received the highest test score on the “V-5 Naval Officer Training Qualification Test” and was offered a Full Scholarship to M.I.T. specialized training to begin as Naval Officer – but it required the officer remain single--therefore, Billy turned it down to marry Delores in 1949.

1952 he enlisted in the Army and committed to “Officer Training and a Commitment for Officer Training Candidate School.” He was the #1 Graduate and received the Army Commission to go to “War College.” Billy had a “Promise of Sergeant” going into “Leadership School “– but after training, the Army “changed the program,” and made him “RA-Private First Class” instead. Then, he was to be assigned as “Lieutenant” upon completion at Officer Candidate School at Aberdeen Providing Ground, Maryland. Billy completed training, and tested as having the highest grades at the Leadership School and Officer Candidate School. Therefore, he was officially “assigned his own platoon as a Lieutenant to leave for Korea” immediately after his Pinning Graduation Ceremony.

However, while Billy was walking near the platform to be pinned as Lieutenant and prepare for Korea, he was suddenly grabbed by a short, professional Kung fu demonstrator performing an exhibition–and threw Billy across the stage without warning--breaking Billy’s pelvis in half–inoperable at the time, and assumed never to walk again. He was immediately discharged from the Army – WITHOUT receiving any of his awards or his Lieutenant pin – and was told “noone” else could receive those awards nor be reassigned to his position--because his name was already permanently assigned for it. Billy left as a “Disabled Veteran Private First Class” and Honorably Discharged with 20% disability, based on the Army’s financial belief that he must’ve had “weak bones,” and therefore they were not responsible. In 2009, Billy’s pelvis was surgically attached with a metallic butterfly after decades of pain and constant work by a chiropractor, just to be able to miraculously walk.

Billy graduated from the University of Alabama (Tuscaloosa, AL) in 1956 with a B.S.M.E degree. Major: Mechanical Design; Foundry Design; Mechanical Engineering; and Metallurgy. He won

(4) Foundry Education Foundation Scholarships; received, the “Machine Design Magazine” Award; and was a Member of Tau Beta Pi (The Engineering Honor Society) of the 71ST Association. After graduation, Billy worked in several foundries, as their engineer, designed machines, flasks, core blowers, tools, hardware, and engineered new metals, etc. He had some designs patented.

In 1959, the Civil Service offered Billy to rejoin the Army for a Classified specific job with Wernher von Braun in Huntsville, AL at the Army Ballistic Missile Agency ABMA (to redesign and test the incomplete original Centaur rocket). With the Manhattan project clearances already to his name, Billy was able to redesign and test the fully working Centaur in four weeks. He received an award specified by President Kennedy. The following year, the government changed ABMA to “NASA” National Aeronautics and Space Administration. Billy was the youngest hired employee to ever be Civil Service tested entering employment as a GS-13, 85.

While working at NASA, Billy was also a licensed Professional Engineer, Architect. and Contractor in Huntsville, AL where he designed and built the University Baptist Church on University Drive. He also started a “refrigeration” company as a hobby – his own designed air conditioners, (and was told nobody ever needed maintenance for his designs). He closed the business when he transferred to Cape Canaveral, FL to work on the Shuttle.

Billy continued working at NASA from 1959-1990 on every rocket and space station and lab until retirement. He holds several patents for NASA including solar power collection.

To read more details of his NASA work, you can Google: Billy K Davis NASA (Space Worker...).