Walter Edward Davis

Walter Edward Davis, 84, of Raleigh, NC, passed peacefully on August 31, 2026. He was born on August 31, 1942, in Cumberland County, NC, to the late Walter Loveless, Sr. and Mary Green. He was later adopted by Melvin Davis upon marrying Mary. After nearly 40 years, Walter was reunited with his biological father who was living in Maryland. For years, Walter "Sr." had been looking for his son but under the birth given name Walter Edward Loveless "Jr."

As a young man, Walter found his love for softball. He batted left-handed but threw right-handed. He was known for his speed and was fondly called 'half-pint' by his teammates due to his short stature and small build. He passed this love for softball down to his daughter and he was well known for attending all of her games and hanging over the left field fence yelling 'three up, three down'!!

Also, at a young age, Walter found the activity he was most known for-bowling!! He would bowl several nights a week and was very well known at Buffaloe Lanes in Garner. He made life-long friendships through bowling and many of those friends visited with him in the days before he passed. Some of these 'bowling buddies' he has known for 50+ years. Up until a few months before his passing he was bowling on Monday and Tuesday nights and also in a Wednesday morning Seniors League. He chased the dream of a perfect game of 300 but never accomplished it. However, his grandson, Shane, got into bowling and has rolled a 300 three times. One of Walter's greatest honor and joy was to hand Shane his ring awarded for that perfect score. Anyone who knew 'Walt' cannot drive down Hwy 401 in Garner and look up on that hill at Buffaloe Lanes and not think of him!

Walter was a loving husband. He met a young lady back in 1962, who was only 16 years old at the time and he told her that very night she would one day be his wife. He was right (and her daddy was wrong) and in 1966 on his 24th birthday he did marry Ann Williams of Angier, NC. They got married on his birthday so he would never forget their anniversary! Walter and Ann shared almost 58 years of marriage before her passing back in 2024. They did everything together and you rarely saw Walter without Ann by his side. He grieved her loss everyday and every night he kissed her picture and told her goodnight. His heart was truly broken beyond repair. His final gesture to her was passing away on what would have been their 60th anniversary! What a beautiful reunion that must have been!!! To have a glimpse into heaven for that long awaited moment for Walter to hug Ann again!

He was a devoted father to his daughters, Wendy and Tracey. He adored 'his girls' and would have done anything in this world for them. Walter was a loving 'Papa' to his grandchildren, Shane and Caitlyn, and his great-grandson, Grayson.

Walter loved attending Fellowship Baptist Church in Willow Spring, NC. He walked down the aisle one Sunday morning and told Pastor David Cloer, he wanted to accept Christ as His Savior and was baptized on Ann's birthday Oct. 20th. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to FBC in his memory.

Walter is survived by his daughters Wendy Jones (Blair) and Tracey Richards (David); grandchildren, Shane Barden (Brittney) and Caitlyn Jones; great grandson, Grayson Barden.

In addition to his parents, Walter was preceded in death by his loving wife, Ann Williams Davis.

His family will receive friends and family on Saturday, September 12th, from 2:00 to 4:00pm at Bryan-Lee Funeral Home, 1200 Benson Road, Garner, NC. Walter will be deeply missed and fondly remembered by all who had the privilege of knowing and loving him.