Ronald Davis

Mr. Ronald G. Davis, 78, of Clayton, died Wednesday (January 19, 2022) at the Eastside Health and Rehabilitation Center in Pittsfield.

Ronald was always a simple man. He never complained and did whatever he could to support his family. A lot of children and families alike visited his house. There was always an extra lap for babies and a plate of food for hungry ones. Many people called him grandpa, whether they were family or not. He never turned anyone away if they needed a home or just a place to hang out in his garage which was the hangout place for teens. His favorite place to eat was KD’s Coop in Plymouth, IL.

As a kid, he would work odd jobs to help support his siblings. He also worked for the railroad for many years. He started working for CBQ Railroad and then changed to Northfolk and Western Railroad. Ronald ran a Standard Station in Clayton for a time after work at the Railroad and on weekends. He worked on cars and cleaned them. He pumped gas and cleaned windows the old fashion way. He treated his customers right and always had candy waiting for the children. He then retired after his leg accident while working at the Railroad. Ronald was born at Pearidge at home. He was the oldest of 8 children when hospitals weren’t heard of.
Ronald is survived by his wife of 57 years, Sandra, Clayton, IL; son, Darren (Vanessa) Davis, Clayton, IL; son, Devin (Tracy) Davis, Fowler, IL; and daughter, Sandra D “Dolly” (Stan) Eifert, Clayton, IL.

He is also survived by 4 siblings, Doris (Roger, deceased) Unglesbee, Quincy, IL; Donna (Mike, deceased) Bence, Quincy, IL; Richard “Dick” (Linda) Davis, Clayton, IL; and Jim (Lenore) Davis, Quincy, IL.

He is also survived by 8 grandchildren, Kendra (Devin) Taflinger, Bushnell, IL; Jesse Davis, Clayton, IL; Shelby (Nathan) DeJaynes, Golden, IL; Logan Davis, Golden, IL; DeForrest Beasley, St Charles, Mo; Alexia (Mason) Cannady, Fayetteville, NC; Justin (Sky) Davis, Camp Point, IL; and Brennan (Lindsay) Davis, Versailles, IL.

He is also survived by 3 great-grandchildren, Trinity Davis, Chase Davis, and Harmony Taflinger as well as 3 special grandkids, (Not relatives) Kimberly Campbell, Jeanna Cuneen, and Brian Wagner of Bowen, IL.

He was preceded in death by both parents, Elizabeth Davis Deshong and Harold Davis; stepfather, Ulysses Deshong; 3 sisters, Connie (Larry) Hicks, Pat (Mike) Tutor, and Linda (Terry) Gallagher.

Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m. Monday (January 24, 2022) at the Hamilton Funeral Home in Clayton. Burial will follow at South Side Cemetery in Clayton.

Visitation will be held Sunday evening from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. at the Hamilton Funeral Home in Clayton.

Memorials may be made to the family with proceeds going to the purchase of a tree to be planted in the Clayton Park.

Online condolences may be left at www.hamiltonfuneralhomes.net.