The Passing of Willie D. Davis
It is with sadness that we announce that our family patriarch, Willie D. Davis passed away in his sleep this morning after an extended illness. He was probably best known as the premier Hall of Fame defensive end and team captain for the dominating Lombardi era Green Bay Packers of the 1960s, but he was much more. He was a trailblazer in the world of business, as adept in the boardroom of the numerous Fortune 500 corporations on whose boards of directors he served as he was on the gridiron. His later passion was radio broadcasting, becoming one of the first Black Americans to own a Class A radio broadcasting license. A graduate of Grambling University, he was a proud brother of Kappa Alpha Psi fraternity. He also earned an MBA from the University of Chicago as well as numerous honorary degrees. He would undoubtedly agree that his greatest achievement was his family.
He was adored by his wife, Carol, his children Duane (Inge) and Lori, grandchildren David, Wyatt, Harley and Hayden as well as his brothers and sisters and a host of family and friends. Funeral services will be private, but a future, public celebration celebration of his incredible life is planned. The family is requesting privacy at this time.
— The Davis Family
It is with great sadness the entire Pro Football Hall of Fame family mourns the passing of Willie Davis.#HOFForever | @packers pic.twitter.com/G63CeV6r74
— Pro Football Hall of Fame (@ProFootballHOF) April 15, 2020
Hall of Famer (Class of 2018) and @packers great, @JerryKramer64GB, reflects on his former teammate Willie Davis. pic.twitter.com/5XyQ6xS0e3
— Pro Football Hall of Fame (@ProFootballHOF) April 15, 2020
#Packers President/CEO Mark Murphy on the passing of Willie Davis.
Read more: https://t.co/x5uPYnpnCb pic.twitter.com/ToXLqvlQVj— Green Bay Packers (@packers) April 15, 2020
A look back at the life & career of a Pro Football Hall of Famer & legendary member of the Green Bay #Packers.
Remembering Willie Davis 📷: https://t.co/MdbwiSt6gt pic.twitter.com/ebKKxpjLlP— Green Bay Packers (@packers) April 16, 2020
I’ve had the pleasure of spending time over my 20yrs with some phenomenal icon and legends. Today, we loss one of them. My friend Willie Davis. Our prayers go out to Willie family and friends. #RIPWillieDavis #REST87 pic.twitter.com/LSwsIi9knD
— Donald Driver (@Donald_Driver80) April 15, 2020
We are deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Packers Hall of Famer Willie Davis. Our thoughts are with his friends and family.
— Triumph Books (@TriumphBooks) April 15, 2020
We mourn the loss of a true legend 😪 #rip #Gramfam #Williedavis #hbcu #legend #nfl #packers 🐯🏈 https://t.co/a2DTYYSg9H
— GSU_Tigers (@GSU_TIGERS) April 15, 2020
Rest in Power, Uncle Willie. We will miss you..
Hall of Fame Green Bay Packers defensive end Willie Davis dies at 85 https://t.co/wwOJA9V8M5 via @usatoday— Regina Davis Moss (@Dr4equity) April 15, 2020
RIP Willie Davis, who had been in the Army but still supported Muhammad Ali’s refusal to serve.
Davis is third from right in the back row.https://t.co/fToDt0y70Z pic.twitter.com/uBZ8DJaetZ— The ’60s at 60 (@the_60s_at_60) April 15, 2020
Fitting that #Packers great Willie Davis should leave us on Jackie Robinson Day. Both men were revered and respected by their peers.
— Jeff Ash (@JeffAshGB) April 15, 2020
If you haven’t heard Bill Curry’s story on Willie Davis helping him through rookie training camp (as a 20th round draft pick) you should #RIPWillieDavis pic.twitter.com/Px9vdPmPcK
— Poor Man’s Packers (@PMPPod) April 15, 2020
RIP Willie Davis. Not only a Hall of Fame player but few could light up a room like Davis. He was one of those guys that always made you feel like you were his best friend. I’ll cherish this picture with Davis and the late Dick Schaap on the night Ray Nitschke passed in 1998. pic.twitter.com/YAapp7MtyE
— Tim Ring (@timringTV) April 15, 2020
When Vince Lombardi was dying, Willie Davis caught a red-eye flight to Washington from San Diego. He walked into the hospital room and said to his old coach, “If you’ll come back to Green Bay, I’ll come out of retirement”… https://t.co/EAanvQ5Uxs
— david maraniss (@davidmaraniss) April 15, 2020
The great Willie Davis was one of the legends who helped close County Stadium in a ceremony on Sept. 28, 2000. https://t.co/2ZMa8KNj0T
— Adam McCalvy (@AdamMcCalvy) April 15, 2020
Once talked with #Bengals owner Mike Brown about Willie Davis.
He smiled and remembered his dad didn’t think Davis could cut it as an offensive lineman, so the #Browns traded him to the #Packers.
The rest, of course, was history.
“We got that one wrong,” Mike chuckled.— Jim Owczarski (@JimOwczarski) April 15, 2020
Will miss seeing Willie Davis at the HOF, always present there when health permitted. Trading Davis to Lombardi only mistake Paul Brown ever made. Never missed game in 12 years. Not particularly tall but longest arms I’ve ever seen. Very successful businessman. Rest easy, Willie.
— Gil Brandt (@Gil_Brandt) April 15, 2020
@packers nation morns another great #WillieDavis one of the kindest, honorable, humble and intelligent men I have even known as a @packers fan. He will be missed.
— Trevor Jirik (@BeetleMan09) April 15, 2020
How good was Willie Davis? Not just on the field but off the field? In 1989, he was a finalist to be NFL commissioner. The #Packers‘ legend died on Wednesday at age 85, the @ProFootballHOF announced.https://t.co/Yc5vy8bGIr
— Bill Huber (@BillHuberSI) April 15, 2020
Much love, respect, and condolences to our radio friends across town. We’re all thinking of you on this sad day. ❤️ https://t.co/ZTb3D0xS2B
— 620wtmj (@620wtmj) April 15, 2020
RIP Willie Davis a great man first and was also a great football player HOF💯
— A. Highsmith (@alonzohighsmith) April 15, 2020
In life, we admire some folks more than others. Former @packers great Willie Davis, who died today at age 85, was a man to be deeply admired. Hall of Fame player, a Grambling grad who earned his MBA at U of Chicago, his post-playing biz career was exceptional R.I.P.@NFLAlumni
— Joe Browne (@JBeonTheHill) April 15, 2020
Wille Davis was one of my dad’s best friends. Willie was the greatest. Years ago he let me do a story about him for College of the Canyons. I’m sad, but happy my dad gets to hang out with him again. Rest In Peace. #williedavis #packers #nfl #legend https://t.co/3SZvs9pl4H
— John Kuperman (@JohnKuperman) April 15, 2020
Awwww man. RIP Willie Davis. 😢 I’ll never forget on my first trip to Green Bay you were sitting at the table beside myself and my friend. You laughed, chatted with us like we were old friends. 💗💗💗💗You will be missed. pic.twitter.com/EmF0NHB6jd
— Debi ✨🌟Remember why you started🌟✨ (@debiowens) April 15, 2020
@MikeKlis it was great to intro you to one of my most favorite people on the planet Willie Davis AKA Dr. Feelgood ! I learned the lessons of Lombardi from WIllie he really changed my life ! RIP Willie “D” https://t.co/fqC6oFbobN
— Jennifer Smith (@JenSmith22) April 15, 2020
Packers legend Willie Davis died on Wednesday at the age of 85.
He was a five-time All-Pro and Pro Bowler, a member of the NFL’s all-1960s team and Hall of Famer, RIP 🙏 https://t.co/ZN6fpvNSAR— Sports Illustrated (@SInow) April 15, 2020
Hall of Fame Packers defensive end Willie Davis dies at 85. A success in business and in life as well as football. The greatest defensive end of his era, who invented the spin move https://t.co/kZJVvjyXdg via @journalsentinel
— George Stanley (@geostanley) April 15, 2020
Willie Davis defined legend: A field-tilting player for the Lombardi-era #Packers and @ProFootballHOF’er, but also a game-changing, trail-blazing smart businessman post-football — plus a very kind man even to those of us who only met him a few times. Statement from his family: pic.twitter.com/eXD2gMhxXV
— Jason Wilde (@jasonjwilde) April 15, 2020
RIP GB Packers #87 Willie Davis Great player and a greater man! Love you! #GreenBayPackers #Wisconsin #NFL #NFLHOF
— Joe Boehm (@Atlasshrugssoon) April 15, 2020
Sorry to hear about the passing of Packer legend Willie Davis. I never had the opportunity to meet Willie, but he was a legend both on & off the field. The stories of him as a leader & teammate should serve as an example to everyone. Condolences to his family & friends.#GoPackGo
— Matt LaFleur (@CoachMLaFleur) April 16, 2020
“If you got Willie Davis, nobody can beat you.”
Inspiring words from Bill Curry about his former teammate.
RIP to a legend. pic.twitter.com/07froJ30ma— Justin Ritzel (@justinritzel) April 15, 2020
Packers legend Willie Davis has passed away at the age of 85. He never missed a game in his 12 year NFL career. One of the greatest Packers and defensive players ever.
• 5X NFL Champ
• 2X SB Champ
• 5X 1st team All-Pro
• 60’s All-Decade team#RIPpic.twitter.com/jM747KqmsW— GBP Daily (@GBPdaily) April 15, 2020
“He was one of my guys.” – @JerryKramer64GB on #Packers teammate, roommate & lifelong friend Willie Davis who passed away https://t.co/sBbI7Yvmry
— 620wtmj (@620wtmj) April 15, 2020
#Packers Willie Davis owned FM 102.1 (Hot 102 in the 1990’s) & AM1290 WZTI, Milwaukee. On the board of directors for Dow Chemical, Schlitz, Sara Lee & I think Coca-Cola. A featured player on Coke bottle caps. Lombardi would have been so proud of what Willie did after football. pic.twitter.com/AxlGjoAQ3t
— Mike Clemens (@MikeClemensNFL) April 15, 2020
“Rest in peace, Willie, you’ve earned it.”
Larry McCarren remembers Willie Davis pic.twitter.com/7gEKlIyapD— Green Bay Packers (@packers) April 15, 2020
Willie Davis in the Packers locker room after the Pack beat the Bears in Chicago to win the 2010 NFC Championship. Packers legend. pic.twitter.com/mcCAXwsMpN
— Dave Shreeve (@DaveShreeve) April 15, 2020
Willie Davis, a Pro Football Hall of Fame defensive lineman who helped the Green Bay Packers win each of the first two Super Bowls, has died. He was 85.https://t.co/e0DsstJGSG
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) April 15, 2020
"When Willie dies, and the undertaker is finished, he'll rise up and say, 'Nice job, buddy.'"
Steve Sabol shares an anecdote Herb Adderley used to describe Willie Davis, who passed away today at age 85
RIP 🙏 #Packers pic.twitter.com/1DfjicnLB9— Kevin Boilard (@KevinBoilard) April 15, 2020
Willie Davis was born in Lisbon, Louisiana, was a standout player at @Grambling1901 @GSU_TIGERS and became one of the all-time great defensive players in the 1960’s with @packers..Superb player, terrific businessman, but a better man in life. A real gentleman and leader in life. https://t.co/BbYa0jjiYG
— Michael Detillier (@MikeDetillier) April 15, 2020
Pro Football Hall of Fame announced the passing of Willie Davis, one of the game's greatest defensive ends and grandfather of OSU's Wyatt Davis.
Talked with Wyatt's family for a story two years ago. I enjoyed this anecdote from Wyatt's brother David about their grandfather. pic.twitter.com/tTm6vtlgLU— billlandis25 (@BillLandis25) April 15, 2020
Very sad to hear of the passing of Willie Davis. Incredible man. His life after football was amazing. Got a photo with him and my oldest son (now 14). Rest in Peace. pic.twitter.com/2yhM3rhPxx
— Jonathan Barnett (@NotSoHumbleHost) April 15, 2020
I’m sorry to hear the news. I worked for Willie Davis in Milwaukee managing his radio stations for ten years. It’s not often you have a boss who says”want to have lunch with me & Bart Starr, or Ray Nitshke”, and you do.
— ssinicropi (@ssinicropi) April 15, 2020
I know everybody is sad, but he lived a heck of a life. Congratulations Willie Davis on a life well-lived! We should all be so lucky to do a fraction of the things he did. https://t.co/iHiw4gR4Rc
— Jim McIlvaine (@JimMcIlvaine) April 15, 2020