William E (Bill) "Square"

William Edward "Bill" Davis, Jr., 64, affectionately known by his many friends as "Square" or "Squarejaw," passed away Wednesday, January 12, 2011 at Maury Regional Medical Center. Funeral services will be conducted Saturday at 11:00 a.m. at Oakes & Nichols with Pastor Jim Arrington officiating. Burial will follow at Polk Memorial Gardens with military honors at graveside provided by Herbert Griffin American Legion Post #19. The family will visit with friends Friday from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m. at the funeral home. The family suggests memorials to Columbia Elks Lodge, 1208 WKRM Lane, Columbia 38401 or Disabled American Veterans of Tennessee, Room G-22, War Memorial Building, Nashville 37243. Notes of sympathy may be sent to the family at www.oakesandnichols.com. The Maury County native was the son of the late William Edward "Squarehead" Davis, Sr., long-time employee of Monsanto Company and Mildred Allen Davis, long-time switchboard operator at Maury County Hospital. Following in his father's footsteps as an avid sports enthusiast, he played Little League baseball and participated in school sports at Whitthorne Junior High School and Columbia Central High School. At Central, he lettered three years in football; two years in baseball; and a year in track. He graduated in 1964 and was elected Most Popular Boy by his Senior Class. He enrolled at Tennessee Tech in Cookeville to pursue a degree in Mechanical Engineering, but was subsequently drafted into the U. S. Army in 1967. He was attached to the Black Horse Regiment of the 11th Armored Calvary and with the rank of Sergeant served a tour of combat duty in Vietnam. Upon discharge, he attended Middle Tennessee State University until he found his niche in the industrial supply business. He was associated with Nashville Rubber & Gasket Company for several years. In 1977 he established Columbia Rubber & Gasket Company which he operated until his retirement several years ago. Mr. Davis was a member of Columbia Masonic Lodge #31, Herbert Griffin American Legion Post #19, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Black Horse Association, Disabled Vietnam Veterans, Columbia Elks Club, and The Men's Shop. For a number of years he was a supporter of Hope House and Disabled Vietnam Veterans charitable programs. Survivors include his wife, Loretta Doerflinger Davis of Columbia; daughter, Brittney (Brian) Brison of Collinwood; step-son, Wade (Katie) Gibbs; four grandchildren, William Brock Laminack, Elizabeth Claire "Libby" Laminack, Victoria Kate Brison, and Preston Wade Gibbs. He was preceded in death by a brother, George Robert Davis in 1976. Active pallbearers are employees of Columbia Rubber & Gasket Company. Honorary pallbearers include members of The Men's Shop.