William Rodney Davidge

William R. “Bill” Davidge was born April 1,1954, in Dunnville, Ontario, Canada and passed away on May 20, 2026, after a long battle with cancer. The son of a Canadian war hero and homemaker, he was one of four siblings and excelled at several sports before focusing on hockey.

Bill’s talent and dedication to the game earned him recruitment to The Ohio State University. As a Buckeye, Davidge distinguished himself both on the ice and in the classroom. In addition to serving as captain of the 76-77 OSU team, he earned the scholar-athlete award four straight years and received the Most Outstanding Senior award in physical education.

Following his playing career and undergraduate education, Bill pursued graduate work at Miami University, where he played a pivotal role in building the Miami University Division 1 hockey program. Bill was passionate about developing young athletes, serving as both assistant coach and head coach while also teaching in the Physical Education Department.

In addition to coaching and teaching, he spent other time in hockey scouting, on ice player development and broadcasting, including part-time roles with the Detroit Red Wings and the Florida Panthers, before accepting a full-time position with the Columbus Blue Jackets.

Beyond the rink, Bill was deeply committed to his two sons Robby and Willy J, pushing them like a coach but loving them like a dad. Despite his professional demands, he often traveled extensively to get home and be a present father to his boys. They all shared a love for golf and their time together on the course became treasured memories filled with stories, competition, and laughter.

During his retirement he focused on “quality over quantity” and found happiness and peace in Naples, Florida. He embraced the sunshine, friendships, more golf, fishing, swimming and his favorite waterside restaurant …often quoting “this as good as it gets.”

Throughout his time on earth, he will be remembered as a devoted father, coach, teacher, and friend - someone whose passion for hockey and life touched many. His legacy lives on through the players he mentored, the programs he helped build, the sport he grew and the family he loved deeply.

Bill is reunited in heaven with his first wife Leann Grimes Davidge, his parents Rod and Bertha and father-in-law Robert ‘Bob’ Grimes. He is survived by his son, Rob (Morgan Davidge); granddaughters Dylan Elizabeth and Millie Jo Davidge, son Willy; siblings Dan (Carolyn Davidge), Jim, Judy (Ken Stevenette), his wife, Jayna; He is also survived by Allison (Mark) Shoultz, Joshua (Rachel) Barker, Angela (Mike) Moran, step-grandchildren, Beau, Hadley, Theo, Ellynn and Garrett, and father-in-law Glenn Winkler.

Family will receive friends at Schoedinger Dublin, 5980 Perimeter Drive, Dublin, Ohio 43017 on Wednesday, May 27, from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. to celebrate Bill’s life. Bill will be laid to rest privately at Collinsville Cemetery in Collinsville, Ohio.

On Friday, May 29, a celebration of Bill's life will be held from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. at the Goggin Ice Center Club Lounge, 610 S. Oak Street, Oxford, Ohio 45056.

In lieu of flowers, family would greatly appreciate donations in Bill’s memory to The OSU Multiple Myeloma research fund #306144.

https://giveto.osu.edu/makeagift/details/306144?Source_Code=AGAG-OTH-S-ON-GivingHome

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