Father William B. Davis, 87, SS.CC, died March 13, 2007, at the Sacred Heart Home in Bedford, Mass.
Father Davis, a native of Rochester, attended St. Andrew’s Seminary and entered the Congregation of the Sacred Heart of Jesus and Mary when he was 19. He was ordained in 1944 at Holy Trinity Chapel in Washington, D.C.
Known primarily as an educator, he taught generations of seminarians. As superior of the order’s seminary, he oversaw its relocation from Washington, D.C., to New Hampshire.
At the request of Bishop Fulton Sheen, then Bishop of Rochester, Father Davis became the first religious pastor of Ss. Peter and Paul Parish, a position he held from 1967 until 1972. He later held positions of leadership in his congregation including vicar provincial and provincial. Until recently, he resided at the Damien Residence in Fairhaven, Mass.
Father Davis is survived by his sister, Rita Heagney, and sister-in-law, Susan Davis, both of Rochester; nieces and nephews; and the members of his congregation. He was predeceased by a nephew and his brother, Daniel Davis.
A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated on March 17, 2007, at St. Joseph Church in Fairhaven, with burial at the SS.CC Community Cemetery, also in Fairhaven.
Memorial contributions may be made to Sacred Hearts Missions, 77 Adams St., Fairhaven, MA 02719.
