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Posts: 14127
Location: 6 String Ranch | OK, so maybe there will only be one or two who know him. He was the VP of sales and marketing for Ovation when hired which was around 1971-2. Later he started up Kaman Music International, KMI, which did all the overseas sales for Ovation and Tak and later added the drums and anything else Bill could take on. I worked for him, with him and in the end he worked for me. He retired in 1997. He was a sax player and didn't play guitar but didn't let that get in the way of doing whatever it took to get dealers loaded up with product. But he also came with programs to help move the stuff through to consumers, (that way you can load the dealers again!) He's the guy that started the Key Man program, to get guitars into the hands of players deemed "locally infulential" but not artist endorsee material. He had a great sense of humor and was always enjoyed a good joke. He was fair, honest and a hard tireless worker. The world won't be the same with him gone.
But then the world hasn't been the same for the last few years anyway, has it? |
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September 2003
Posts: 9301
Location: south east Michigan | Sorry about the loss of your friend Bill. |
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August 2002
Posts: 8307
Location: Tennessee | Sounds like he left a legacy behind that transcends mere work. Which will hopefully influence others to follow in his path and keep this world balanced against what it could dissolve into. Condolences to all who were part of his life. |
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April 2004
Posts: 13303
Location: Latitude 39.56819, Longitude -105.080066 | It's a shame and he will be missed.
Was this sudden or expected? |
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December 2001
Posts: 7247
Location: The Great Pacific Northwest | We often joke about our "little dysfunctional family" here at the Ovation Fan Club, but when we read a post like this, it's hard not to share the feeling of loss and sadness as we would for any relative, maybe a distant one, one we never really knew, but part of the family just the same.
I did not know Bill Davis and based on the above post, it seems not having had that pleasure is my loss.
Please pass our heartfelt condolences to the family on behalf of those here, and to you as well Bill. |
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January 2002
Posts: 14127
Location: 6 String Ranch | I don't know. I last saw him several years ago and he was dealing with the aging process as best he could.
I only mention it because his efforts benefit everyone here, you just didn't know it. |
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September 2003
Posts: 9301
Location: south east Michigan | So what you are saying that in his own way he was, in the best use of the term, "That Guy". |
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August 2006
Posts: 3145
Location: Marlton, NJ | Bill - I'm very sorry for your loss. Sounds like he was a very dedicated guy. As Miles said, please pass our condolences on to his family.
Mike |
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January 2002
Posts: 14127
Location: 6 String Ranch | It's a part of our history passing. As I said it's been a few years since I've seen him.
As I think about it now, it's funny, he always wanted to have an Ovation Players Club or something like that to use as a conduit for giving and gathering information and feeding sales. (He was really a marketing wiz) Plus once you were part of the "club" you were then one of the cool guys. It would have a news letter and special offers of product, interviews etc. All the shit that makes Ovationites sport a full wood. This was in the 80's he wanted to do this.
A little ahead of his time, don't you think? I don't know if he ever knew about the OFC but he could say "Hey! I wrote that script!" |
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November 2005
Posts: 4833
Location: Campbell River, British Columbia | It's like missing a family member you didn't know you had. I know we all would have liked him.
You can't have too much Sax in one lifetime. |
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October 2007
Posts: 2711
Location: Vernon CT | My Condolences to you and his Family. |
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January 2002
Posts: 386
Location: nyc area | RIP Bill.... I only met him a few times but he was truly a great man, and will be very fondly remembered in this OFC'ers heart.
I came into kaman through that same keyman program... My condolences, Bill. |
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October 2005
Posts: 5332
Location: Bluffton, SC | Very sorry to hear about the loss, Bill. Our thoughts and prayers will be with everyone who was able to share in his time here. |
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May 2008
Posts: 1565
Location: Indiana | I believe Bill signed my welcome letter when I became a Keyman. I was so impressed with everyone in the company I dealt with back then. Made me feel genuinely valued. It sounds as if I have him to thank for that. Sorry I never got the chance.
We've always been a bit of a beleaguered group... those of us who chose to play and represent Ovation. Being a Keyman meant a great deal to me. As does finding the OFC.
A friend of mine, who passed away in 2002, was inducted into the Texas Country Music Hall of Fame last weekend in Texas, and I was invited to perform some of his songs. The late Buck Owens was also inducted and his son sang in his his stead.
After the show, he and the gentleman who accompanied him, approached me with the now obligatory questions about my Viper. They were both long standing fans of Ovation and I pointed them in the direction of the OFC. Don't know whether we'll ever see them here, but they were pleased to hear there is a "support group" for O lovers.
Sounds as if that might have made Mr. Davis smile.
Very sorry to hear of his passing, Bill. |
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February 2002
Posts: 5750
Location: Scotland | It's never easy when a good guy passes away. The idea of an "endorsement program" for regular working musicians was truly inspired, and I'm pretty sure is unique in the industry. It meant a lot to me when I became a "Keyman" and it's nice to know from where it originated. My condolences to all who were close to him. |
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March 2002
Posts: 15680
Location: SoCal | How old was he? This moving to the top of the food chain sucks. More and more I'm amazed at how fast time passes..... |
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September 2003
Posts: 9301
Location: south east Michigan | he always wanted to have an Ovation Players Club or something like that to use as a conduit for giving and gathering information and feeding sales. Sounds like he should have been an OFC'er with a single digit member number.
I wish he would have found us a few years ago. |
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Joined:
October 2005
Posts: 5332
Location: Bluffton, SC | Almost inspires one to consider an OFC Hall of Fame complete with posthumous inductees... |
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January 2002
Posts: 14127
Location: 6 String Ranch | DAVIS, John William "Bill" Davis, 78, of Avon, husband for 54 years to Betty (Lipe) Davis, passed away peacefully after an extended illness on Monday (August 18, 2008). Born in Corpus Christi, TX, he was the son of the late Lewis H. Davis and Gladys (Pickens) Davis. He was predeceased by his brother, Lewis H. Davis, Jr. of Houston, TX. Besides his wife Betty, formerly of Landis, N.C., he leaves four children and their families; daughter Elizabeth Leigh Kelliher, husband Mike and their son Lucas of Winchester, MA; son Michael William Davis and his daughters Corey and Jaime, and their mother Cheryl Marci Davis of Farmington, daughter Lori Davis Shield, husband Joe, and their sons Sam and Matt of Avon, and son Stephen John Davis, wife Kate, and their daughters Cameron and Phoebe of Chatham, N.J. He is also survived by brother-in-law and sister-in-law Joseph and Carmie Lipe of Charlotte, N.C. as well as many loving nieces and nephews. Bill's interests resided in his family, his profession in the music industry, world history, and in maintaining a beautiful yard. Always active in his church, he served on numerous boards in churches in Europe and the U.S., and also served as choir director in a Mission Church. At West Avon Congregational Church, he initiated the refurbishing of the church organ, which was a source of great joy to him. He graduated with a degree in Applied Music from Northwestern University, Evanston, IL. He served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War with the 82nd Airborne Division and while stationed in North Carolina, met his future wife, Betty, on a blind date at Queens College in Charlotte, N.C. In 1954, they were married and began a life of adventure as Bill pursued his career in music, and together raised a family, living in six states, as well as France, Belgium, and England. Early in his career, Bill served as sales promotion manager for the H. & A. Selmer Company. For two years he was President of Buffet Crampon, Paris, France and the family enjoyed living in France and traveling throughout Europe. Upon return to the United States the family moved to Connecticut where he served as Vice President of Sales for Ovation Instruments, a division of the Kaman Corporation. He started the International Division of Kaman Music where he served as President until his retirement in 1998. He was a mentor to many in the music field, with deep knowledge of major orchestras and their musicians, as well as performers in jazz and the entertainment industries. A highlight was working with jazz great, Louis Armstrong. Always by his side was his wife, Betty, his helpmate and greatest supporter. Bill encouraged their children to value education, to appreciate different cultures and be citizens of the world. He was a devoted husband, father and grandfather. The great love he had for his family was expressed in the many family trips he planned. The family would like to thank the many friends, as well as the physicians, who supported him during his years of illness. Their love and care made his life richer and happier. He will be sorely missed by all who knew and loved him. A Memorial Service to celebrate Bill's life will be held Saturday, August 23, 1 p.m. at the West Avon Congregational Church, 280 Country Club Road, Avon. A reception will follow the service. The Rev. Brian Hardee, Pastor will officiate. Burial will be at the convenience of the family in West Avon Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to West Avon Congregational Church. The Carmon Funeral Home & Family Center of Avon is caring for the arrangements. For condolences please visit www. carmonfuneralhome.com. |
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March 2002
Posts: 14842
Location: NJ | Well-written Obit.
Sounds like he was quite deserving of such . . . |
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March 2005
Posts: 5567
Location: Blue Ridge Mountains | Bill's passing simply reminds me (and hopefully, all of us) how special this company, it's employee's, and it's products, are...I never play a gig, a concert, or a worship service when I don't have an opportunity to tell someone about the company who's guitars I have been playing for nearly 33 years: and not just about the guitars themselves but the history and the company as well. I have the Key man ID in my sig because I am proud to have been a part of that program: in many ways I feel that I still am...Thanks Bill and rest in peace! |
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January 2007
Posts: 430
Location: WNC-God's Country | Sounds like a wonderful man...I didn't even know him, but I miss him already..
Keith |
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RIP; Bill Davis
