May 14, 1922 – June 30, 2003

William Rasor Davis, prominent horseman-businessman, passed away Sunday, June 29, 2003, in Ocala, Florida, where he had resided with his wife Mardean since 1976 when they relocated from St. Mary’s, Georgia.

Bill was born in St. Mary’s (Camden County),Georgia, May 14, 1922, to Foy Hubert Davis and Cordelia Rasor Davis. He was blessed with three brothers, Marvin, Gaines, and Robert, and two sisters, Sabina and Mary Louise. Mary Louise is the only surviving sibling.

Bill married MarDean Allen, a native of Cove, Utah, in 1964. They resided in St. Mary’s until their move to Ocala in 1976. In addition to his wife and sister, he is survived by son (John), and a daughter (JoAnn), from a previous marriage. Also survived by MarDean’s two daughters, Debra Rees (Mark), Carolee Arscott (Gus), and a son Robert Bell, and a multitude of loving grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Bill, raised in a log cabin, always practiced frugality and never forgot his humble beginnings. Early on, he learned from his father the virtue of hard work, and also the rewards for making a good deal. By hunting raccoons and trading their hides, he could either reap a reward or suffer the consequences for a not-so-good deal.

In his youth, Bill learned to ride and love horses. He worked for the Carnegie Family at their “luxury” stables in Cumberland Island, Georgia, and always enjoyed recalling his association with the affluent Carnegies in contrast with his meager Southern upbringing.

As young men, Bill owned and operated “Davis Brothers,” a service station-commodities-sports shop (similar to today’s variety convenience store); and also a laundry mat. He was also a commercial builder and involved in the construction of factories, warehouse-type buildings, barns, etc.

In addition to the above, Bill was also founder and operator of Dixieland and Timber Co., the largest independent timber broker in Southeast Georgia. He was involved in the timber business for 52 years, retiring at age 78. Bill was honest in his dealings, always giving the widow the best price for her timber instead of the pittance sometimes offered by competitors. He was recognized and appreciated by the older people in the area for his fairness in dealings. In later years Dixieland Timber discontinued its pulp, logs and timber cutting, and served as a broker for several major paper companies, including Gilman Paper Company/Kraft Bags.

Because of his love for horses, in 1967 Bill and MarDean began the Ocean View Farm, which was established on the Inter-coastal Waterway in the South Georgia/Florida marshlands. Later, Ocean View Farm was dissolved and in 1976 Dixieland Farm was established in Ocala, Florida, specializing in racehorse breeding and marketing of weanlings.

For eight years Dixieland Farm topped the weanling market at the internationally recognized Ocala Breeders’ Sales Company, where Bill and MarDean sold horses until 1985 when they went into racing and training. Sovereign Dancer was transported from Chantilly, France (to Dixieland Farm) by way of Ireland and New York. He later sired Gate Dancer. Their biggest success came in 1984 with Gate Dancer. This horse that they had bred and named became internationally famous when he placed 4th in the Kentucky Derby and later won the Preakness. That same year, Bill and Mardean were honored as “Breeders of the Year” for the thoroughbred industry, by the Florida Turf Riders’ Association at a gala event in Miami Beach. Bill and MarDean have traveled worldwide representing their Dixieland Farm and recognized as having some of the world’s best bred and best pedigreed race horses at that time.

Bill was a true Georgia Cracker, a specimen of his day and age and the area of his upbringing. He could always provoke laughter with his dry sense of humor. His quick thinking and the ability to tell a good story added to his Ole South mystique.

Although he was not a baptized member, Bill frequently expressed appreciation for his affiliation with The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and its members, and he graciously supported the LDS Missionary fund. He loved his wife and family and did not hesitate to tell them so, daily.

God Bless you, Bill. You will be missed by all those who knew and loved you.

A service in remembrance of Bill will be held July 5, 2003, Saturday, at 12:00 noon, in Logan, Utah, at the Allen-Hall Mortuary, with interment following at the Richmond Pioneer Cemetery.