Bill attended The Ohio State University, majoring in dairy science. There he met the love of his life, his wife of 43 years, Beth (Deam) Davenport, whom he married on March 4, 1978. They built an active and loving family with their four children: Rachel (Mike) Fearon of Greenville, Nathan (Jennifer) Davenport of Greenville, Nicia (Josh) Hanes of Union City, and Abbey (Chase) Moore of Arcanum. He was beloved by his grandchildren—Madelyn, Seth, and Edee Fearon; Adrina, Brielle, Carleigh, and Gracie Davenport; Harley, Caden, Cole, and Hadley Hanes; and Lilly, Navie, and Toby Moore.
Bill was a dairyman at heart and managed Dalwood Dairy in Wakeman, Ohio, for a number of years. He retired from Harvestland Co-op in 2019 and found enjoyment working at the Graves- Fearon Insurance Agency. Bill adored his wife Beth and his family, with whom he loved spending time at ball games, livestock shows, and fishing trips. He was a lifelong fan of the Ohio State Buckeyes and the Cincinnati Reds, and he traveled to numerous Big Ten championship games with Beth, their family and friends over the years.
Bill was also devoted to his faith, instilling important values in his family such as hard work, dedication, patience, love, and courage. At the start of his valiant battle with cancer, Bill was introduced to Joshua 1:9: “This is my command—be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid and discouraged, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” He lived this verse to the fullest, and he spent the last years of his life fighting to be with the family and friends he loved.
In addition to his wife, children, and grandchildren, Bill is survived by his mother, Barbara; his siblings Dale (Karen) Davenport, Darryl (Bev) Davenport, Robin Burns, Darren (Kara) Davenport, and Krista (Tom) Parker, his brothers- and sisters-in-law, Tom Deam, Michele (Steve) Specht, Steve (Deidre) Deam, and Neil (Jennifer) Deam; and will be dearly missed by his many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his father, William Davenport; his grandson Kobe Michael Fearon; his father- and mother-in-law, Dale and Carol Ruth Deam; and his sister-in-law Kathy Deam.
A celebration of Bill’s life will take place at 10:00 A.M. on Monday, February 1, 2021 at EUM Church, Worship Center, 1451 Sater Street, Greenville, Ohio 45331, with Pastor Jeff Harper officiating. Burial will follow in Newcomer Cemetery.
For those who would like to join remotely, the service will be streamed at https://eumchurch.online.church/. Please select the “Video Archive” tab.
Guests may visit with Bill’s family on Sunday, January 31, 2021, at EUM Church, Worship Center, from 4:00 P.M. until 7:00 P.M.
Contributions in Bill’s honor can be made to State of the Heart Care, 1350 N. Broadway Street, Greenville, Ohio, 45331, or the Cancer Association of Darke County, P.O. Box 781, Greenville, Ohio, 45331.
The family has entrusted Tribute Funeral Homes with the funeral arrangements.
Online condolences may be shared with the family by visiting www.tributefuneralhomes.com.