Funeral service for MSG (Retired) Melford "Bill" Davis will be 11:00 a.m. Friday, January 30, 2026 at First Baptist West.

Burial with full military honors will follow at Fort Sill National Cemetery under direction of Becker-Rabon Funeral Home.

The family will greet friends from 5-7 pm Wednesday at the funeral home.

MSG (Retired) Bill Davis died Wednesday, January 21, 2026 in Lawton, Oklahoma at the age of 84. He was born November 3, 1941 in Portales, New Mexico to William Edward and Pearl Alene (Mitchell) Davis. Bill graduated high school in Muleshoe, Texas and later attended Ouachita Baptist University in Arkadelphia, Arkansas. He married Wilma J. Bickford on April 16, 1966 in Arkadelphia.

Bill initially entered the service with the US Army in Jan 1959 till January 1961. He then reentered military service in January of 1968, serving honorably until his retirement from the Army in April of 1990. Bill was a Vietnam veteran and was the recipient of numerous awards and decorations throughout his Army career, in which he served as a Chaplain Assistant. During his years in the Army, he formed many close bonds, but none meant more to him than his best friend, Gary Watts.

Following his military retirement, Bill continued to serve his community. He worked with Goodwill Industries as a job placement specialist, helping others find meaningful employment. Never one to stay idle, he later became a familiar and friendly face as a greeter at Walmart.

Bill was a devoted member of First Baptist West and VFW Post 5263, where he served as Post Commander. Also, a member of the American Legion Post 6. He played an integral role in the "Prince of Peace" Easter Pageant at the Holy City of the Wichitas, serving for many years as wardrobe director and later as director of the pageant. His commitment to mentoring young people was evident in his service as an adult Boy Scout leader; he was active in Wood Badge and was honored with induction into the Order of the Arrow.

He is survived by his wife, Wilma Davis of 59 years; daughters, Sonja Dennin and husband Dan, Fort Worth, Texas, and Tanya Kuchenbecker, Wisconsin; sons, Eddie Hopper and wife Melody, South Carolina, Troy Hopper, Lawton, and David Davis and wife Jennifer, Green Forest, Arkansas; grandchildren, Steven Davis, SSG Justin Higgins, Rusty Higgins and wife Audra, Shawn Higgins and wife, Amber, Savannah Ross and husband Cameron, Nicholas Davis and wife Hannah, and Christine Clair and husband Kenny; 11 great grandchildren; his brother, Clifford Davis; three sisters, Patsy Acuff, Gail Hankins and Nancy McDowell; as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

His parents and a brother, Joe Davis, preceded him in death.

Memorial contributions may be made to the building fund at First Baptist West, 7302 NW Cache Road, Lawton OK 73505.

An online guest book and sympathy cards are available at www.beckerfuneral.com