W. G. Davis

Graveside services are scheduled at 9:00 a.m. Monday, May 10, at Woodbine Cemetery for W.G. Davis of Artesia, New Mexico.

Mr. Davis, 89, died Tuesday, May 4, 2021 at his residence surrounded by his three children.

Jimmy Hamilton will be officiating at the services. Visitation will be at Terpening & Son Mortuary from 2pm to 6pm Sunday. Pallbearers will be Chad Harris, Nolan Riley, Joe Carlo, Donny Davis, Lynn Berry, and Jimmy Liles.

W.G was born April 6, 1932 in Holdenville, Oklahoma, to Cole Davis and Pauline Harris. He met and married the love of his life, Mary Jane Hardin, in Hope where he was star of the basketball team and she was a cheerleader. They enjoyed almost 66 years together before her death in 2016. They were married March 13, 1950 in Carlsbad, NM. Their married life took them to Arizona in 1951 for a brief stint before moving back to Artesia in 1952.

In 1953, W.G. worked for the gas company and was involved in an accident that burned over 60% of his body. With two small children and a young wife, he fought for several agonizing months in the hospital to recover enough to return home. Mary Jane hardly left his side and found her calling as a nurse. Over the next several years, W.G. continued to recover and returned to work and learned to weld. He eventually began his contracting career and family business, Davis Welding, that he shared with his son, Stanley Davis. In the early 80's he learned to fly and bought his own airplane to fly pipelines for Navajo.

W.G. was tireless in the skills he acquired and work he accomplished after his accident. He never backed away from hard work and expected nothing less from those around him. His children remember numerous trips to Texas where they would spend time working to pick cotton with numerous cousins and other family.

In his spare time he loved making music. He spent many hours playing piano and singing until the wee hours of the morning with Mary Jane and various relatives and friends. He never attended a family gathering without playing a tune or two on the piano. He also spent many years with Mary Jane at the horse races in Ruidoso where they met friends and family. He was quite the character and had a unique way of cutting up with people and making forever friends wherever he went.
Oftentimes he had at least one grandkid by his side for his weekend antics. He was known to go out flying and loved to buzz houses as his way of saying "good morning." His grandkids remember spending many Saturday mornings running around town visiting family before ending the day with a trip to "corner grocery" to get some candy.
W.G. was tireless with his time and energy and always did everything without expecting a thing in return. He led his family with a fierce determination and was solid in his faith with God. This fierceness is a legacy he leaves behind for his family and for all the men who ever had the privilege to work for him.

His children ensured that he was able to stay in his home until his death. He enjoyed and looked forward to frequent visits from Stanley. Twyla stayed with him and was his companion to watch old westerns and keep up with the news. His saving grace was his daughter, Paulette. He referred to her as "Sarge" and she kept him in line with doctor visits as well as made sure he and Tom Cat had the best of everything. He was forever grateful for the unwavering love and care they provided.

He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Mary Jane Davis; brothers Savoy Davis, Leon Davis, J.D. Davis and Orville “Snooks” Davis; grandson, Wesley Davis and great-granddaughter Hallie Carlo.

Survivors include son, Stanley Davis and wife Denise of Cumby, Texas; daughters Paulette Harris and husband Mike of Artesia and Twyla Davis of Artesia; grandchildren Jawna Carlo and husband Joe of Artesia; Chad Harris of Artesia; Mandy Riley and husband Nolan of Allen, Texas; great-grandchildren Phelan Davis; Sysylya Harris; Lexi and Mikenzi Carlo; Lincoln, Jackson, Benjamin and Madison Riley; sister Lavada Bridge of Lubbock, Texas; longtime family friend Don Davis of Roswell, New Mexico; and his faithful buddy and companion, Tom Cat.