Roy Walton Davis, Jr. died on Sunday, April 5, 2015 at his home. Born on January 15, 1930, he was the son of the late Roy Walton Davis and Mildred Wilson Davis. Roy grew up in Marion where he was a proud member of the Marion High School Rippers’ football team and earned the nickname “Whiz.”
Roy graduated from Davidson College and the University Of North Carolina School Of Law, cum laude. While in law school, he was a member of the Law Review and Order of the Coif. Roy then spent three years in the Judge Advocate General’s Corps at the Army Aviation Center in Ft. Rucker, Alabama.
In 1960, Roy joined The Van Winkle Law Firm and began a long, fulfilling career practicing law. He was president of the 28th Judicial District Bar, president of the NC State Bar, vice-president of the NC Bar Association, member of the House of Delegates of the American Bar Association, and a member of the NC Board of Law Examiners from 2002-2014. Roy was active with Pisgah Legal Services where he served as board president.
In 2001, Pisgah Legal Services established the Roy Davis Volunteer Lawyer Award.Roy received the Centennial Award for Outstanding and Exemplary Community Service from the 28th Judicial District Bar. He was a recipient of the Chief Justice’s Professionalism Award.
He was a Fellow and past state chair of the American College of Trial Lawyers and a Fellow in The International Society of Barristers. He was a member of the NCBA General Practice Hall of Fame and received the John B. Macmillan Distinguished Service Award from the NC State Bar.
Roy served the Episcopal Church in various capacities throughout his life. As a member of Trinity Episcopal Church, he was in the choir, a Sunday school teacher, member of the vestry, and Senior Warden. Roy was Chancellor of the Episcopal Diocese of Western North Carolina for over thirty years.
He is survived by his wife, Madeline; son, Walton (Maura); daughters, Cissy, Becky (Grady), and Sally (Billy Ray); grandchildren, Henry, Ella, Harriet, and Wilson; and mother-in-law, Madeline Combs.
A memorial service will be held at 11:00am on Saturday, April 11, 2015 at Trinity Episcopal Church followed by a reception.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Trinity Episcopal Church, 60 Church Street, Asheville, NC 28801; Pisgah Legal Services, 62 Charlotte Street, Asheville, NC 28801; or a charity of one’s choice. Morris Funeral Home, 304 Merrimon Avenue, is in charge of the arrangements.