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William Jesse “Jess” Davis, age 85, of Gallipolis, passed away on Sunday, September 9, 2012, at his residence, surrounded by his loved ones. Born March 8, 1927, in Parkersburg, W.Va., he was the son of the late Samuel A. and Estelle Gibson Davis. In addition to his parents, he was preceded by a son and daughter-in-law, Glennard and Susan Davis; by a nephew, Donzel Davis; and by several brothers and sisters.

Jess was a World War II Veteran, serving in both the U.S. Army and the U.S. Navy, where he fought on the USS Heerman Destroyer, during World War II.

He retired from the Shelly Company and from Rick Eplion. He also worked for other asphalt companies including being in business for himself as a general contractor.

Jess is survived by children from Anna L. Davis, his first wife, Peggy (William) Patterson of Fort Spring, W.Va., Kitty (Bill) Griffith of Gallipolis, James (Kay) Davis of Gallipolis, Karen McDade of Gallipolis, Susan West of Ravenswood, W.Va., and William (Susan) Davis, Jr., of Land O Lakes, Fla.

Also surviving are his wife, Anna Lucille “Lucy” Davis; son, Shane Davis (Susan Phillips); daughters, Amy (John) Saunders, Missy (Casey) Staton and Emily Spires; grandchildren, Chance, Scott, Jessica, Luke, Sami, Taylor, Kailyn, Tami, Brad, Jill, Shana, Karla, Ben, Tony, Missy, Sam, Seth, Kristen, John, Ivy, Steve, Jeremy, Chase and Zach; great-grandchildren, Brennen, Gavin, Ty, Bruce, Austin, Will, Emma, Alana, Andrew, Anna, Zander, McKala, Cody, Reagan, Ashton, Matthew, Gracie, Kaylee, Kindle, Gavyn, Rylee, Arron, Caden and Dillon; nephews, Gene and Bobby Davis; nieces, Janet, Sandy and Shirley, and many other nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m., Wednesday, September 12, 2012, at Waugh-Halley-Wood Funeral Home with Pastors Alfred Holley and Randy Carnes officiating. Burial will follow in Pine Street Cemetery. Friends may call at the funeral home on Tuesday from 6-9 p.m.

Military funeral honors will be presented at the cemetery by the Gallia County Veterans Funeral Detail.

Pallbearers will be John Saunders, Casey Staton, Seth Davis, Sam Davis, Chance Davis, Scott Saunders, Jeremy Davis and Jeff Rathburn. Honorary Pallbearers will be Tony West, Bruce Moreaux, Matthew Moreaux and Luke Saunders.

An online guest registry is available at waugh-hally-wood.com.