William "Rocky" Davis

On the morning of May 11, 2020, Rocky passed away at Johns Hopkins Hospital.  As a two-time transplant recipient, Rocky had many complications which led to a decline in health and ultimately his passing. Rocky, as he was known to all friends and family, was 70 years old.

Rocky was born in 1950 to Bill and Arlene Davis.  He was the first child born to Bill and Arlene and was one of five rambunctious children.

Though he attended two years of college for music, Rocky was in the construction industry for much of his adult life.  He was most notably a superintendent at Giant Construction Co. in Landover, MD, Whiting-Turner and Grunley Construction, to name a few.

Rocky was one of the founding members of the Spalpeens, Batimore’s Best Irish Band. He and his brother Mike Davis were recruited by their father, Bill Davis. The band’s line up changed over the years. Members were like family and included Jerry, Mike D., Mike F., Greg, Pat, George, Kelly, Sean, Art, Alan, Marty, Donna, and Sam ”The Bassman”.  Rocky played the banjo, mandolin, and guitar.

While in college, Rocky met his bride Bonnie Gilbert.  They were married for 48 wonderful years.  They had four children, Krissie, Jennifer, Sean, and Kelly.  There was nothing in the world more important to Rocky than his family. He loved spending time with family members as often as he was able.  Whether it was taking his Bonnie to dinner, a sing along in the car, a bon fire in the street after a blizzard, a sled riding party, or sitting on the porch together during a storm, Rocky savored those moments.  He taught his family that family was not only blood, but it included friends as well. He often said that making memories was much more important than stuff and your time was the biggest gift that you could give anyone.

Rocky loved nature, watching birds, and astronomy.  He was a lover of music especially classical and Irish Music. When he wasn’t playing music, he sang in the Charlestown Chorale.

Rocky was preceded in death by his father William “Bill” Davis, his mother Arlene Davis, his sister Jeannie Fadrowski, and his youngest sister Janice Soop.

Rocky is survived by his wife Bonnie Davis, daughter Krissie Ivins and her husband Jeffrey, daughter Jennifer Bennett and husband Jim, son Sean Davis and his wife Ashley, and Kelly Morton and her husband Ryan. He is also survived by brothers Michael Davis and his wife Mary, Gregory Davis and his wife Karen, brother in law Mike Fadrowski, and Brother in law Robert Gilbert and his wife Melina. Rocky is survived by many grandchildren that made him extremely proud:  Liam Ivins, Kyle Ivins, Matthew Bennett, Nicholas Bennett, Andrew Bennett, Shane Morton, Kaelyn Morton, Isabella Davis, and Charlotte Davis. He is also survived by many nieces and nephews.

Due to current covid 19 restrictions, Rocky will have a private burial at Crest lawn Cemetery on Monday May 18th.  A Memorial Mass and Hooley will be scheduled for a later date as restrictions are lifted. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Rocky’s name to the American Heart Association PO Box 417005 Boston MA, 02241-7005 OR St. Benjamin’s Lutheran Church 700 Krider's Cemetery Road, Westminster, Maryland 21158.

The family of Rocky would like to especially thank the staff at Johns Hopkins, DaVita Kidney Care in Westminster, Dr. Jeff Brinker, and Rocky’s physical therapist Joanne Crowell, and Ambrose Funeral Home in Arbutus, MD for their attentiveness, knowledge, and their caring nature.