Eddie Davis

William Edward Davis, 78, died Wednesday, July 19, 2017 at Greene County Medical Center in Jefferson, Iowa.

Funeral services were held Saturday, July 22 at Slininger-Schroeder Funeral Home in Jefferson with Pastor Larry Monthei of Hope United Methodist Parish officiating. Honorary bearers were Leroy Peterson and Larry Anderson. Casket bearers were Bill Thorp, Billy Thorp, John Benson, Dennis Pittman, Ron Christenson and Steve Smith. “Amazing Grace” and “His Hand In Mine” were sung by soloist, Kenny Monthei. Interment was at Franklin Township Cemetery in Cooper, Iowa.

William Edward Davis, Sr. was born November 9, 1938 at Jefferson Hospital in Greene County to Ormea and Elsie (Paulson) Davis. He attended the Cooper school in Greene County.

On August 21, 1960, Eddie married Joyce Collins. Two children were born to the union, Rochelle Anne and William Edward, Jr.

Eddie lived on the home farm all his life where he farmed with his father, and later, farmed on his own. Early in his farming career Eddie raised sheep, cattle and hogs, along with crops of corn and beans. Later he stopped raising livestock but continued with the row crops.

On December 14, 1998, Eddie married Joyce Godwin. Eddie and Joyce adopted Birton and Travis Davis in 2015, increasing the family to six children.  They were helping Eddie farm at the time of his death.

In Eddie’s younger years, he enjoyed hunting, ice fishing and snowmobiling. In later years, he enjoyed golfing and he and Joyce bowled on league teams. They enjoyed traveling on ships and driving through different states. He liked seeing the different crops in each state.

In 2011, Eddie became a proud partner with his dog, Babe. She was by his side everywhere he went.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Ormea and Elsie Davis; nephew, Dwight Snowgren; brothers-in-law, James and Joe Godwin; and parents-in-law, Gloria and Doyle Thede and Edward Godwin.

Eddie is survived by his wife, Joyce Davis of Jamaica, Iowa; daughter, Rochelle “Shelly” and husband, Keith Schaffer, of Grand Junction, Iowa; son, William “Bill” Davis and grandson, Billy Davis of Jefferson; adopted sons: Birt (Mae) Davis of Jefferson and Travis (Morgan) Davis of Cooper; step-daughter, Tammy Crawford of Jefferson; step-son, Lyle Jesse (Ashley) Lorentzen of Jefferson; six grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; sister, Betty Farley of Atlantic, Iowa; brother, Roland Snowgren of Rippey, Iowa; nephews; nieces and lots of friends.

Services were arranged by Slininger-Schroeder Funeral Home, Jefferson.