If you are the kind of person who might assume a man with tattoos on his face must be mean, scary and heartless, then you are a person who never had the pleasure of knowing Bill Davis.

Davis, beloved husband, father and grandfather, died after a courageous battle with brain cancer March 25th, at the age of 70.

If you didn't share a laugh with him, if he never poured you a drink, if you've never read one of his books, saw his viral video or watched a Yankees game with him, let me tell you about my husband, my best friend.

Bill was born June 13th, 1953 in New York, New York, to Roy Davis and Hilda Beckerman.

He attended Horace Mann as a boy and later Cortland State University and Lehman College.

For many years, Bill felt at home in New York, bouncing and working at various clubs. He managed The Grand Finale and The Pelican in New York City. Rubbing elbows with the likes of Bette Milder, Cissy Houston and Muhammad Ali.

When Bill made his way to Lancaster, *he became the famous one - for both his serving and social skills behind the bar. He was employed at Peppers, J.M.'s Bistro, Molly's Pub, and The Pennsylvania Renaissance Faire. It was during his time working at Conestoga where he met his wife, Kate. Bill also tended bar at Bube's Brewery, which is where Bill and Kate got married. 15 years later. The guests collectively agree it was a spectacular, boisterous celebration. The details get a bit fuzzy beyond that.

The couple wed only after an extravagant proposal only Bill Davis could pull off.  A die-hard Yankees fan, Bill won the "Final Engagement Contest" at the last game at the old Yankee stadium with Mariano Rivera - winning a ring and popping the question to Kate on the JumboTron.

Life wasn't all fun and games. Bill worked tirelessly advocating for his autistic son Christopher, which culminated in advocacy work for thousands of individuals with autism and their families. Helping change laws and create legislation to protect the rights of people with disabilities. Working with Kennedy Kreiger and Temple University creating educational programs from the ground up, authoring three books, presenting at autism conferences across the country, even speaking on the steps of Congress. He created the IU13 Jae Davis scholarship in honor of his late wife's advocacy. While Bill was the recipient of Temple University's "End the Victims Silence Advocacy Award," Bill's greatest achievement is the shining light Christopher has grown into as a man.

Bill had many loves and varying tastes - His love of Irish Punk music and classic salsa ran deep. Behind closed doors, the words of Shane Macgowan and Hector Lavoe often brought him to tears. He loved Catskills Jewish Comedians. Rarely did a day pass without him singing Mickey Katz "Duvid Crockett". He took great joy in entertaining people. Never without a joke. Often butchering the punch line. His dances, animated story telling, the Bronx accent that made it impossible for him to pronounce the word Author (sounded like Arthur) or Horse (sounded like…), his whimsically goofy songs that will be missed by his family and all those who loved him.

Bill leaves behind his heartbroken best friend and wife, Kate; daughter Danielle Marion, married to Nathan; daughter Jessica Homsher, married to Mike; son, Christopher Davis; grandchildren Rinoa Ayala, Roxas Ayala and Nina Marion. He is preceded in death by his second wife, Jae, and first wife, Sylvia.

An orator of seemingly endless stories, Bill made a mark on countless lives through his love, advocacy, enthusiasm and humor.

That rough tattooed exterior simply housed the softest heart.

Come celebrate "One last bash for Bill". May 11th 7pm Phantom Power 121 W Frederick St, Millersville, PA 17551