William Davies

William Horsley Davies (Bill) was born in Mar Vista, California, September 8, 1926 to William Ervin Davies and Lily Stewart Horsley. He returned to his heavenly home on Wednesday, December 6, 2017, at the age of 91. He passed away peacefully surrounded by family. He attended Kern Union High School, and at the age of seventeen Bill joined the Navy in 1944 during WWII. Bill served in the U.S. Navy in the Pacific as a Radar man aboard the USS Sacramento. On November 14, 1945, Bill married his childhood sweetheart, Gloria June Kendall Sand. At the time of June’s death, October 22, 2015, they had been married 70 years.
Bill worked in the furniture business from the age of thirteen. He started his own furniture business with June, in 1966 in Bakersfield, California known as William H. Davies Interiors Inc., and in 1980 another store; William H. Davies Drexel Heritage on “F” Street.
Bill served in various positions in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints as a Branch President (Delano), Bishop (Bakersfield Fifth Ward), and a Stake President (Bakersfield California East Stake). He and June worked 27 years in the Los Angeles LDS Temple and served in the LDS Nauvoo Temple as missionaries. While serving in the Los Angeles Temple, Bill served as an ordinance worker, a temple Sealer, and as a Counselor in the temple Presidency twice.
Bill is survived by his four daughters and their spouses; Diana and William Vizzard, Sharon and Ron Hutchinson, Lynn and Rick Simpson, and Debra and Val Hemingway. Bill and June have 14 grandchildren, 48 great grandchildren, and 4 great great grandchildren.
Bill loves his adored wife, his family, and his Savior, Jesus Christ. While on earth he strived to live a Christ centered life. He loves people, mom’s homemade peppermint ice cream, living in the mountains, cooking mandarin food, and most of all, spending time with family rich in tradition and love.
He is known for speaking his mind, his love for the USA, taking his family and employees to Magic Mountain while footing the bill for everyone, working hard, serving others and perpetuating the meaning that a “friend in need is a friend indeed”.
Funeral services will be held:
Tuesday, December 12, 2017 Family will be receiving friends beginning at 9:00 a.m The Services starting at 10:00 a.m. at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on 2801 Real Road, Bakersfield, CA 93309. Interment will be at Greenlawn Cemetery 3700 River Blvd. Bakersfield, CA 93305.

Thank you to Rob Harding of Kern River Family Mortuary for his love and tender support in our time of need, and to Hoffmann Hospice for their professional loving support.