Billy Rupert Davis, age 85, of Tuscaloosa, went to be with his Lord March 16, 2015. Services will be 1 p.m. Friday, March 20, 2015, at Dowdle Funeral Home in Millport with Pastor Josh Howell officiating. Burial will follow in Millport City Cemetary with Dowdle Funeral Home directing. Visitation will be one hour prior to services at the funeral home.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Dura Festus and Alma Lindsey Davis; his brother, William Remus Davis; his sisters, Geraldine Blakney Burkhalter and Imogene Dowdle.

Survivors include his wife of 47 years, Mary Laughmiller Davis; daughter, Jennifer Johnson (Mike); son, Greg Davis (Renee); and three grandchildren, Lindsey Johnson, Michael Johnson, and Alaina Davis.

Mr. Davis was born on June 14, 1929, in Kennedy, Alabama. He was a 1947 graduate of Kennedy High School. After attending junior college in Mississippi, he attended Georgia Institute of Technology and graduated with a degree in Chemical Engineering in 1954. He was stationed with the Army at Picatinny Arsenal in New Jersey during the Korean War and supervised development work on propellants and explosives. After being honorably discharged as a 1st Lieutenant, he served as a Senior Research Engineer for Monsanto for many years and went on to work as an engineer for Cities Service and Reichhold Chemicals. He retired from Alabama Power Company in 1994 after serving as a Generating Plant Engineer at the Gorgas Steam Plant.

Billy loved his Lord Jesus and was an active member of Hopewell Baptist Church for many years. He enjoyed birdwatching and visiting with friends. However, his greatest joy was spending time with his family and especially his grandchildren.

Pallbearers will be Bill Brown, David Laughmiller, Michael Johnson, and nephews Bobby Blakney, Tommy Blakney, and Johnny Blakney.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial contributions be made to Hopewell Baptist Church or your favorite charity.