William S. Davidson

Former Middletown resident, longtime area business owner and community leader, William S. Davidson died January 26, 2018 with family members at his side. He was recovering from a recent illness at his daughter’s home near Creston, North Carolina.

Some people dig their heels in and stick their heads in the sand when faced with the rapid changes of modern society. That was not Bill Davidson. He embraced the world, evolving with each social, political and economic change. The depression, a World War, the baby boom, becoming a business owner, having a big family, wide lapels, fat ties, skinny ties, owning a computer and an iPad, being proud of the first African American president, eager to witness the first female president, embracing same-sex marriage - he never stopped learning, growing and adapting to the ever-changing world around him -- and we loved him for it.

We just couldn’t get him to upgrade his flip-phone!

Born near Hazard, Kentucky on March 9,1922 to Nancy Ann Woods and Ralph Peter Davidson, he grew up near the coal mines of southeast Kentucky. Bill married his high school sweetheart, R.(Ruth) Jeannette Turner on December 28, 1941. After three semesters at University of Kentucky, he enlisted in the US Army Air Corps. Together, he and Jeannette moved out west from base to base during his basic training. He served in the 8th Air-force and became a B-17 pilot in the 379th Bomb Group. He completed 18 missions before his aircraft took on damaging fire during the 2nd Schweinfurt raid of October 14, 1943. Forced to abandon the burning craft via parachute, he spent the final 19 months of the war as a prisoner of the German forces in Stalag Luft III. This camp was well known for “The Great Escape”, which inspired the popular WWII movie of the same name. Returning to the US after victory and liberation, Bill was recognized for his service with a Purple Heart, as well as the Air Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster for “exceptionally meritorious achievement…over enemy occupied Continental Europe. (His) courage, coolness and skill displayed by this pilot reflects great credit upon himself and the armed forces of the United States.”

And, true to his personality, he always bore these honors with humility.

Bill and Jeannette followed family to the Dayton area after the war and by chance fell into the purchase of Middletown’s Dysert Photo Shop, then located at 1336 Central Avenue. The new Davidson Photo Shop later relocated to 1310 Central and expanded to the Middletown Shopping Plaza in October, 1958. The couple operated the store for 42 years, retiring and selling the business in August of 1988. Bill also served as President of the Middletown Noon Optimist Club and helped found other area Optimist Clubs during his active years. He served several terms on Middletown’s Zoning and planning board as well.

Throughout Bill’s adult life, he was a skilled and consistent golfer playing weekly at Wildwood and Brown’s Run Country Clubs. In his retirement years, he was a “Club Champion” at Sabal Springs Golf Club in Ft. Myers, Florida where he scored an astounding 9 holes-in-one during his active years there. While a resident there, he served as Commander of the American ExPOW Southwest Florida Chapter 100.

Bill was the primary caregiver for his wife of nearly 60 years during her decade-long decline from Alzheimers. His care for her was dedicated, unwavering and inspiring until her death in July of 2002.

His kind blue eyes and gentle smile will always be remembered by those who met him - and, he never met a stranger. He lived his personal and professional life with patience, grace and a selflessness that set a lasting example for his multi-generational family of survivors. They include, from eldest to youngest, his 5 daughters - Phyllis (David) Harwood, Chapel Hill, North Carolina; Carolyn A. Davidson, Canal Winchester, Ohio; Lesa (Patric) McClellan, Creston, North Carolina; Robyn (John) Cheffy, Grapevine, TX; Vikki (Gary) Bussell, Middletown Ohio - -and, only son, W. Michael Davidson (Denise Reiter) of Carmel, IN. He was additionally blessed with 10 grandchildren and 11 great-grand children of whom he was unceasingly proud.

A celebration of life will be held on Saturday, February 3, 2018 at Breitenbach-Anderson Funeral Home, 517 Sutphin Street, Middletown OH, 45044. Visitation at 11AM, Services at 1:00 PM.

The Family requests that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to:Medi Home Health and Hospice of Ashe County, North Carolina PO Box 421, Jefferson, NC 28640 or The Alzheimer’s Association at alz.org.