Billie Davis

Billie Jeanne (Hartness) Davis, 83, of Canyon, died Wednesday, March 5, 2003 in Amarillo. Memorial Services will be at 4:00 PM on Friday, March 7 at the First Presbyterian Church with the Rev. Dr. Don McDonald, pastor, officiating. The family will receive friends at Dos Gringos Mexican Food Restaurant in Ft. Worth on Saturday, March 8 from 5:00 to 7:00 pm. Mrs. Davis was born on August 28, 1919 in Perrin Texas. She was the sixth of seven children born to Ruda Priscilla (Lee) and John Hartness. Billie took piano lessons as a young girl, and, while still in grade school traveled to various cities in north central Texas giving recitals and playing for church groups. After graduating from Adamson High School in Dallas, Billie played for dance classes and worked for an advertising agency in Dallas where she met Walter Ragland Davis. The couple married in Rosemont Christian Church in Dallas on Billie's birthday in 1940. Their first child, Walter R Davis II was born on June 13, 1942 while Walter was working at North American Aviation during World War II. Their second child, Patricia Ann (Davis)Hamilton, was born February 28, 1947. In the ensuing years Billie played piano and organ for her church, raised a family, and worked side by side with Walter in several restaurants they owned or managed. After her children left home, Billie worked for the Texas Employment Commission in Dallas. She moved to Canyon in 2001 where she was a member of First Presbyterian Church. Billie was preceded in death by her husband, Walter in 1991, and by two sisters and three brothers. She is survived by a sister, Ruda Johnson, of Canyon, a son Walt and wife Isabel of Canyon, a daughter, Patti and husband, CIa Hamilton, of Justin, four grandchildren: John Davis and wife, Tracey, of Dallas, Lee Davis and wife, Melissa, of McKinney, Kathy Hamilton Lee and husband, Ron, of Hurst, Benjamin Hamilton of Denton, and three great-grandchildren: James and Madeline Lee, of Hurst and Quin Davis of McKinney. In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to the Billie Jeanne (Hartness) Davis Music Scholarship at West Texas A&M University.