Henry Frederick John Davis

Hank Davis, 91, died Sunday, October 16, 2011 after a short illness. He was born November 20, 1919 in West Salem, Wisconsin to Henry and Lisset Sehmickpeper and attended both grade and high schools there.

Hank was raised on a farm. His father was a stone mason, carpenter and farmer which resulted in Hank entering the building trades. He was the owner of Davis Construction for 28 years, retiring in 1981. He built houses and commercial buildings both in Seattle and on Whidbey Island and was known for the quality he put into everything he built.

Hank married Vera Faiola in 1941 in Seattle and was married to her for 61 years before she died in 2002. They moved to Mariner’s Cove in Oak Harbor in 1965, where Hank continued his building career by building many homes in the Cove.

In 2004 Hank met and married Ruth VanEaton. They enjoyed traveling and cruising, but most of all they loved ballroom dancing and would travel to various locations several days each week just to dance to the sounds of “Big Band”.

Over the years Hank was an avid boater for over 50 years, enjoying the San Juan Islands and Puget Sound. He also loved his 4-legged friends, be they dogs or cats and always managed to have several of each at home. He also loved to bowl, play cribbage and pinochle.

Hank is survived by his wife Ruth, his sister Ruby (Arnie) Pinski and his sister Elvera Freyhoff, both of Wisconsin, his sister-in-laws Grace Burke (Bill), Elaine Adriani (Leo), and Sharon Daniel (Alan), all of Canada and several nieces and nephews.

Visitation for Hank will be held at Burley Funeral Chapel Tuesday, October 25th from 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM and funeral services for him will be held, also at Burleys on Wednesday, October 26th at 11:00 AM, followed by a reception and a graveside service at Maple Leaf Cemetery. The family suggests that memorials be made in Hank’s name to either W.A.I.F. or Hospice of the Northwest.

Arrangements are entrusted to Burley Funeral Chapel where friends may go online at www.burleyfuneralchapel.com to sign a guest register and leave memories for the family.