Hilton Davis

Hilton Kunze Davis, 92, a retired Navy Captain, U.S. Navy Civil Engineer Corps, of Coffeyville, Kansas passed away Sunday, October 26, 2008 at Coffeyville Regional Medical Center, Coffeyville, Kansas. Mr. Davis was born May 1, 1916, the son of Walter A. and Blanche Kunze Davis. He was a graduate of the University of Texas with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Civil Engineering and Master of Science Degree in Civil Engineering. He was a Registered Professional Engineer in the State of Texas. While in High School he joined the Naval Reserves as an apprentice seaman. After his graduation from the University of Texas in Austin, he was commissioned as an Ensign in the Navy Civil Engineer Corps. His Naval assignments include the first Ships Company at the Navy SeaBee Advance Base Depot at Port Hueneme, California. He later served with Navy SeaBees in the Pacific during World War II. He was stationed with the Public Works Department at the Marine Corps Air Station at Cherry Point, North Carolina. He served as Public Works Officer with three Navy Air Stations: Cecil Field, Florida; Oppama, Japan; and Grosse Ile, Michigan. He had duty with the Navy Civil Engineer Corps Command in London, England. He served with the Fifth Naval District as Staff Civil Engineer for training and inspection of Reserve Navy SeaBee Battalions. His last Navy Duty was at the Staff Civil Engineer at the Navy Reserve Command in Omaha, Nebraska. After his retirement from the Navy, Captain Davis taught Engineering Technology at the Texas State Technical College in Harlingen, Texas. While living in Harligen, he was a member of the First United Methodist Church in that city. He was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Coffeyville. He was a Fellow in the American Society of Civil Engineers and was a life member of: The National Society of Professional Engineers; the Texas Society of Professional Engineers; he was a life member of the Tannehill Masonic Lodge, No. 52 of Dallas, Texas; and The Ex-Students Association of The University of Texas. He is survived by: his wife of 64 years, Cornelia Fort Davis of the home; a son, Hilton Fort Tex and his wife Waneta Davis of Coffeyville; a grand daughter, Elayne Marshall of Coffeyville; and several nieces and nephews in Texas. A son, William Scott Davis, is deceased. Funeral Services will be held at 2:00 p.m. Thursday at the Penwell-Gabel Ford-Wulf- Bruns Chapel with the Reverends J. Collins, pastor of the First United Methodist Church of Coffeyville, officiating. Military Honors will be held by a detachment from the United States Navy. Following the service, cremation will take place and inurnment will take place at a later time at the Dallas-Ft. Worth National Cemetery. Friends may call at the funeral home from 9:00 a.m. until 9:00 p.m. on Wednesday. The family will receive friends at the funeral home from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. on Wednesday. The family has suggested memorial remembrances to the First United Methodist Church of Coffeyville and remembrances will be received at the funeral home.