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AHOSKIE, NC – William Eugene Davis, age 81, of Jernigan Airport Road, passed away peacefully on Saturday, May 1, 2021 at Vidant Medical Center of Greenville, North Carolina with his family by his side.

Mr. Davis was born on September 24, 1939 to William Luke Davis and Idonia Hughes Davis in Bertie County, North Carolina, he was known by many of his friends as “Foots”.

Gene retired from the NC National Guard as a Sergeant First Class. He served 35 years with the 119^th Infantry Battalion that was formally headquartered in Ahoskie. He was an Ahoskie Police Officer for 8 years in the late 1960’s and into the early 1970’s. He also served on the Ahoskie Rural Fire Department Board of Directors for 13 years and served as its Chairman for 5 of those years. He also worked 19 years as an investigator with the Kalfus and Nachman Law firm located in Norfolk VA. This offered him an opportunity to travel and as he was traveling, he loved to find new places to eat; he never passed a “mom and pop” restaurant that he did not stop and have a meal.

He enjoyed his weekly poker tournament with his friends when he was able and playing trivia games with his family. He was an avid reader, who was very interested in History and Science Fiction books.

On May 2, the day after his death, he and his wife were to celebrate their 62-year anniversary. He dearly loved his wife, children, and grandchildren.

Along with his parents, Gene was preceded in death by a son, William Ricki Davis; a granddaughter, Hailey Lynn Davis; and his sister, Alice Davis Rawls.

Left to cherish Gene’s memory is his loving wife of sixty-two years, Barbara; two sons, Timothy Keith Davis and wife Rhonda, and Marty McCoy Davis and wife Shelia; daughter-in-law, Lisa Davis, all of Ahoskie; three grandsons, Matthew Davis and wife Ashley, Heath Davis, and Nicholas Davis; two granddaughters, Kelly Gauthreaux and husband Justin, and Reagan Huskey; three great-grandsons, Liam Gauthreaux, Jackson Davis, and Aiden Huskey; three great-granddaughters, Eva Davis, Addison Huskey, and Ada Davis; along with many friends.

The family will receive friends at the home any time.

A celebration of life funeral service will be held on Tuesday, May 4, 2021 at 11:00 am at the Garrett-Sykes Funeral Service, Ahoskie, NC, with Pastor Greg Hurdle officiating and burial will follow at Highland Memorial Gardens, Ahoskie, NC.

Garrett-Sykes Funeral Service – Ahoskie Chapel is handling the arrangements for the Davis family and online condolences can be directed to the family by visiting www.garrettsykesfs.com.