Dr. William D. (Bill) Davis, 80, died suddenly and unexpectedly on Monday, November 25, 2024, with his beloved wife of fifty-five years, Kris Bergman Davis, at his side.
Bill was born on June 20, 1944, in Hutchinson, KS to parents Jack and Louise (Petersen) Davis.
Bill graduated from the University of Kansas in 1966 (BA in English with a focus on Pre-Medicine) and from the University of Kansas Medical School in 1970. At KU, Bill was a member of Phi Delta Theta fraternity. As a senior, he was introduced by his brother Jim to Kristine (Kris) Bergman who was a member of the Delta Gamma sorority and a KU cheerleader. They were engaged in just six weeks and married in St. Louis, Missouri on June 18, 1969.
Bill served in the U.S. Army for two years, mostly with the Rangers’ Jungle Training School of the 101st Airborne Division in the Panama Canal Zone, ending his service in 1973 with the rank of Major.
Bill completed a rotating internship in the Panama Canal Zone from 1970 to 1971. While in Panama, their daughter Kara Chellu Davis was born in 1970 and their son Octavio Alejandro Davis was born in 1973. He and Kris intentionally chose to live off-base so they could significantly develop their Spanish-speaking capabilities, learn more about Panamanian culture, and connect with Panamanian parents raising their kids. His experience in the Panama Canal Zone and fluency in Spanish helped him land his U.S. Army assignment to Panama.
As a doctor back stateside, Bill and Kris moved to Santa Rosa, California in 1973 where Bill completed his residency in Family Medicine for two years at Santa Rosa Memorial hospital. Bill and Kris returned to Hutchinson in 1975 where Bill joined the Medical Center at 11th & Main. While with the Medical Center, he was a major stockholder and one of the leaders of that facility. Following the merger between the Medical Center and the Hutchinson Clinic, Bill continued his practice with the Hutchinson Clinic, ending his medical career in 2011.
Bill was a “Dr. Marcus Welby” type of doctor who loved to treat the whole family whenever possible rather than individual patients. It was not uncommon for patients to come to Bill’s home or for him to visit their home when care was needed. For many years, his patients were entertained by his green parrot “Pancho” who often accompanied him into the exam room on Bill’s shoulder.
Bill had an uncanny memory for telling detailed jokes, in various dialects, which he had perfected. In that regard, he took after his father Jack, who knew and loved jokes. Bill was a passionate watercolor painter, as well as a fan of the Kansas City Chiefs and KU football and basketball. He took pride in delivering over six hundred babies as an OBGYN practitioner. His heart was warmed when he encountered those he delivered and their families.
Bill is survived by loving family members, including his wife Kristine, daughter Kara, son Octavio, brother Jon and wife Berna, brother Jim and wife Trish Rose, brother-in-law Steven Bergman and wife Pat, along with six nieces and nephews, and ten grand nieces and nephews.
The Davis family will have a private service. Details of a “Celebration of Life” for Bill will be announced at a later date. Those attending the “Celebration” will be encouraged to dress casually and bring at least one (family-friendly) joke to share with those attending.