Donald Davis

Rev. Dr. Donald “Don” Billy Davis, 91, of Madisonville passed away on Saturday, February 1, 2025, at his residence in Madisonville, KY. Don was born on April 7, 1933, in Louisville, KY to the late Virgil Thomas Davis and Myrtle Alvey Davis. Don was the youngest of 3 boys, the 2nd of whom, Leo, died tragically at the age of 8 in 1929, before Don’s birth. His oldest brother, Willard, also preceded Don in death. He was also preceded in death by the love of his life, his wife of 64 years, Billie Timberlake Davis, who died exactly 7 years to the day before Don on February 1, 2018.

Don graduated with his bachelor’s from the University of Louisville and remained an avid fan of their sports teams until his death. He graduated with his Master of Divinity from Louisville Presbyterian Theological Seminary. Don served as a United Methodist minister in the Louisville Annual Conference and later the merged Kentucky Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church beginning in the Glendale Circuit in Glendale, Kentucky and continuing for the next almost 50 years serving as senior pastor in Parkwood UMC in Louisville, Longview UMC in Hardin County, Aldersgate and Immanuel UMC in Louisville, Morganfield UMC, Wesleyan Heights UMC in Owensboro, Chapel Hill UMC in Henderson, State Street UMC in Bowling Green, and Madisonville First UMC from which he retired in 1999. He also served as a district superintendent for the Campbellsville District of the United Methodist Church between his pastorates in Henderson and Bowling Green. Don received his honorary Doctor of Divinity in 1979 from Union College, in Barbourville, KY where he served on their Board of Directors.

Don is survived by two daughters, Kathy (Steve) VonLehman of Russellville, KY and Kim (Jeff) Rice of Gallatin, TN; one son, Dennis (Mary) Davis of Henderson, KY; four grandchildren, Andy (McKenzie) Davis of Henderson, Kristen (Derek) Steenbergen of Russellville, Sarah (Jared) Sharp of Hendersonville, TN and Brad Davis of Honolulu, Hawaii; and seven great-grandchildren, Cameron Davis, Kendall Davis, Max Steenbergen, River Steenbergen, Connor Sharp, Caden Sharp and Palmer Davis. He is also survived by nieces and nephew Marsha Riga, Mark Wilson and Pam Smith as well as several great nieces and nephews. Nephews Mike and Scotty Wilson and Jimmy Davis preceded him in death. One cousin, Elizabeth Ann Milby, also survives.

Memorial services will be held at 1:00 P.M. Friday, February 7, 2025, at the First United Methodist Church in Madisonville, KY with Rev. Gene Pillow, Rev. Gary Gibson and Revs. John and Loletuth Kalz officiating. A time of visitation with the family will follow the service at the church.

Don will be remembered for many things including the following: his powerful sermons, his compassion for others, his quick wit and incredible memory but mostly because of his never-ending love for his family and dear friends.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Kentucky United Methodist Home for Children and Youth at P.O. Box 930, Nicholasville, KY 40340. Online condolences may be made to the family at www.barnettstrother.com.