James M. Davis better known as Jim a 92 year old resident of The Villages, FL, passed away Tuesday, February 20, 2018 at Leesburg Regional Hospital in Leesburg, FL.
James Merrill Davis was born August 7, 1925 in Newtown, MO to Walter and Iva (Smith) Davis.  He graduated from Newtown High School.  Jim served in the United States Army during WWII from October 22, 1943 until January 11, 1946, and received a Purple Heart.  Jim wore the German bullet around his neck that he was wounded by in the grape vineyard in Italy.  On August 5, 1951 he was united in marriage to Bonnie Lee Wise. They farmed together and in 1967 won the American Royal 4 State Farm Family of the Year Award.  They celebrated their 66th Wedding Anniversary with an open house at their home in The Villages.  Jim was a member of the Moila Shrine in St. Joseph, MO and The Villages American Legion post #347.  Jim was also a member of the Purple Heart Chapter 795 of Lady Lake, FL.  Jim and Bonnie are members of the THEM group of Silverlake which they have both enjoyed so much.
Jim and Bonnie built in The Villages in May of 1989.  They stayed 3 months a year at the beginning then staying 6, then 9 and finally moving full time in 2000.  Jim loved the game of golf.  He played 63 days in a row one year before the Phillips Tournament closed the courses, and that was back when The Villages only had 2 or 3 courses.  Jim played golf weekly with his daughter until February 2017 on Championship courses with a group that originally started when Hacienda Hills opened.  He loved golf, the social aspect and the bright colors he wore while playing.
Surviving relatives include his wife Bonnie of the home, daughter Cecile Davis of The Villages, sons Steven Davis of Lucerne, MO and Walt Davis of Green City, MO and a grandson Nick Davis of Green City, MO.
Those preceding him in death include his parents, brother Lenny Davis and sister Lenora Gregory.
Funeral services are scheduled for 2:00 p.m., Saturday, March 3, 2018 at the Newtown Christian Church.  Burial will follow in Newtown Cemetery.  A visitation is scheduled from 1:00 until service time at the church Saturday.  Memorial donations are suggested to the Shriner’s Children Hospital’s and may be left or mailed to the funeral home.  Whitaker-Eads Funeral Home, 813 Custer St., Trenton MO 64683

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