William Kincaid Davis, age 84, passed away on Tuesday, May 19 at Agrace Hospice Center in Fitchburg. He was born on November 1, 1941, in Madison, Indiana, the second son of Salvation Army Officers Agnes (Dixon) and William C. Davis. He attended several schools in Indiana and Illinois, including University of Illinois Experimental High School (Champaign), and graduated from Galesburg High School in 1958. He earned his bachelor’s degree from UW-Eau Claire in 1964 and his master’s degree from UW-Whitewater in 1972.
He had an expansive career in education, beginning as an English teacher in Whitehall, Thornton Township (IL) and Whitewater. He was very active in drama, including being the theater manager at Thornton Township. He was also a speech lecturer at UW-Whitewater for 8 years. He advanced through administration, including assistant principal in Whitewater, principal of Ashland High School and Superintendent of Ithaca schools. He retired in 2004. Always the educator, he enjoyed being a substitute for Evansville schools in retirement. He will be especially remembered for his mentorship, intellect and wry sense of humor.
On December 23, 1972, he married Ruby Morrison. They were married for 53 years, enjoying their mutual love of French food and culture.
William is survived by his wife Ruby; his siblings Andrew Davis, Guinivere (Richard) Whiteman and Glendora (Larry) Green; his children Trudie (Allan Sr.) Kelley, Heather (Phil) Seidel, Stephanie (Will) Hendricks and Mathieu Davis; his grandchildren Royce (Katrina) McLean, Heather Ayn (Chris) Maxwell, Evan Seidel, Kate Hendricks, Wyatt Hendricks and Ava Hendricks and his great-grandchildren Jaxon McLean, Reagan McLean and Scarlett Maxwell. He was preceded in death by his parents.
Visitation will be held at 10:30 AM May 28, 2026, at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Evansville. Funeral to follow at 11:30 AM. Burial will be at Maple Hill Cemetery in Evansville. Memorial contributions are preferred to AWARE in Evansville or the Salvation Army. Ward-Hurtley Funeral Home is assisting the family. For online condolences and guestbook, please visit: www.wardhurtley.com
Thanks to the staff at Stoughton Hospital and Agrace Hospice for their help and support.
