In Loving Memory

Lloyd "Bill" Davis

Lloyd "Bill" Davis
May 31, 1927
November 15, 2019
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Obituary

Lloyd A. “Bill” Davis passed away peacefully at his home in the early evening hours of November 15, 2019 in the company of his loving family. Bill is survived by his beloved wife of over 70 years, Renate; sons Boris and Byron; grandchildren Jessica and Patrick; caregivers Caroline and Hinda; and family friend Debbie Lehrmann.

Visitation with the family will be from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m., Wednesday, November 20, 2019 at Brenham Memorial Chapel. Funeral services will also be held at Brenham Memorial Chapel, at 11:00 a.m., Thursday, November, 21, 2019 with interment to follow at Pilgrim’s Rest Cemetery in Industry, Texas.

Bill was born on May 31, 1927, to Thomas Lloyd Davis and Bessie Adams Davis on the family farm close to Pachuta, Mississippi. He grew up as a farm boy in a very rural Mississippi. Bill played as a running back and defensive lineman of the Quitman High School Panthers. Bill joined the Armed Forces after graduating high school, shortly after the end of WWII. In war-torn Berlin, Bill served in the 2nd Armored Division, and later was assigned to an MP detachment.

After three occasions of being refused a date with a pretty, dark-eyed German girl, Bill’s offer was finally accepted and he went on a date with Renate Blattner. They fell in love, and a year later were married in Berlin. Bill reenlisted an additional year to marry Renate, and upon his release from the Service they moved back to Mississippi. Renate, a German city girl, didn’t like rural Mississippi and they soon moved on to more opportunity in Houston, Texas.

Both Bill and Renate worked to put themselves through the University of Houston, and after his education Bill became a strong supporter of Cougar Football. In his generosity, he always made it a priority to give back the University over the years. After 65 years of faithfully attending football game in the in-zone with his family, he became a season ticket owner, and Cougar Pride Member – today called a Lifetime Cougar.

Although Bill and Renate lived in Houston in the coming years, Bill’s “farm boy” past resurfaced and in 1964 he bought a farm outside Fayetteville, Texas. Bill also went to work for Metallic Building Company and worked through the ranks to become Vice-President and Treasurer until 1968.

The Davises crossbred cattle in Fayetteville. After being chased up the fence one too many times, Renate announced that if he wanted to continue with the family’s assistance, he needed to find a different disposition of breed or find some new help.

In 1969, The Davises took a different twist. Bill left his job with Metallic Building Co., and formed a new company, Engineered Components with partners Earl Vonderglotz and Jimmy Clift manufacturing metal building components. In order to have the cash to start the business, he sold his Fayetteville farm and cattle operation. It was a good move, as business went well and after ten successful years he sold his part.

In 1971, Bill bought another farm in Bleiblerville, south of Brenham, and began raising Hereford Cattle. Buying several tracts of adjoining property, Bill expanded to about 600 acres of fine grazing property and grew his herd to 100 choice Herefords. Bill was a member of the American Hereford Association, Texas Hereford Association and the Gulf Coast Cattleman Association.

After 2010, Bill and Renate moved off the cattle operation into their Walnut Hill home in Brenham. Bill and Renate always had a passion for travel. They visited the Far East, Africa, Europe (including Renate’s home country of Germany) until their latter years. Bill and Renate would still attend family reunions in Mississippi and Texas. Bill was also a Master Mason for 67 years with the Walter M. Pierson Lodge #1339.

If you would like to make a donation in memory of Bill, please consider the University of Houston Cougar Foundation, which has endowments supporting Cougar athletic programs. Bill had been a strong supporter of the Foundation since its beginnings in 1980. To make a contribution, please visit www.UHCougarPride.com and click “donate now”.

Services are in the care of Brenham Memorial Chapel, 2300 Stringer St., Brenham, TX 77833. 979.836.3611 Tributes may be shared at www.BrenhamMemorialChapel.com.