Celebrating the life of
Wallace M. Davis, Jr.
May 20, 1929 - September 22, 2014
SAVANNAH - Wallace M. “Wally” Davis Jr. spent his entire professional journalism career — nearly a half century — at the Savannah Morning News-Savannah Evening Press.
Whether he was known as by Mr. Davis, Wally or “Scoop,” he was a newspaperman’s newspaper man, long-time associates recalled.
Davis died Monday morning at Spanish Oaks Retreat under Hospice care. He was 85.
“The only newspaper he ever worked for was ours,” recalled Thomas F. “Tom” Coffey Jr., who retired in 1989 as the dean of the city’s newsmen after five decades at the Savannah Morning News-Evening Press. When Davis retired as executive editor in October 1994, Coffey recalled Davis’ dedication to readers that drove his entire career. “Such newspaper men these days are fast fading,” Coffey wrote.
He recalled Davis for his tenacity, persistence, brashness, and “proverbial nose for news with dogged determination pushing that nose into places where those who became the objects as well as the subjects of scoops would prefer to be left alone.” He took that same mantra to the editor’s desk.
“Wally Davis was true newsman no matter how you cut it,” said Michael Traynor, publisher of the Savannah Morning News. “He was friendly, professional and cared deeply about the Coastal Empire and Lowcounty and never shied away from a tough story or topic as the Savannah Morning News chronicled our shared history. “Wally was also encouraging to the cub reporters in the newsroom and was responsible for building the credibility, integrity, goodwill and excellent reputation that continues with the Savannah Morning News today. He will be missed.”
John Burke, another veteran Savannah newsman now in retirement, praised Davis as being a stickler for accuracy and one who would not tolerate a reporter putting his or her personal opinions in a news story. “He was really from the old school of newspaper journalism,” Burke said. “He never put his own opinions in anything.” He also recalled that Davis, and Coffey, were “excellent teachers,” adding that “Wally taught me a whole lot.”
Davis started his career in 1945 while still a 16-year-old student at Savannah High School and with the exception of time out to earn his journalism degree at the University of Georgia and later for a tour with the U.S. Marine Corps, would remain at the local newspapers until he retired.
He worked vigorously to maintain the Evening Press as a presence here, calling the afternoon newspaper “my baby” at his retirement party on the first floor of the old Bay Street office.
Next to devotion to the newspapers and his wife, Joyce, and family, Davis remained “always a Marine.”
A photo of Marine Corps Lt. Gen. Chesty Puller stood on the wall of his newsroom office until he retired it when he left. “He really loved the Marine Corps,” Coffey said.
In the Marines, Davis was editor of the Corps newspaper at Camp Lejeune, N.C., where “one of his up and coming staffers” was Zell Miller, who later was Georgia’s governor and U.S. Senator, Coffey said.
Kathy Haeberle, who retired in 1991 after more than 30 years with the afternoon paper, recalled Davis as someone who always “knew exactly what he was doing.” “He was strict, but in a kind way,” she said. “You knew you’d better do the right thing.” She said Davis was “very easy to work for, to follow instructions,” calling him a “terrific teacher.” “He had a kind of hidden sense of humor,” she said.
Frank Anderson, who was publisher from 1991-2005, called Davis “a major member of our newspaper team.” “He was an outstanding editor and understood the community,” Anderson said. “He was very conscientious and expected the newspaper to be accurate, fair and balanced.”
Survivors are his son, Wallace (Mac) Davis, III of Dublin, GA; his daughter, Joy D. Howard of Pooler; his brother, Thomas Davis and his wife Dottie of Savannah; grandchildren, Mariah Davis, Jeremy Newsome, Aaron Newsome, Beth Fortner, Brant Meacham, Lee Davis Howard, Elizabeth Howard and Jacob Howard; five great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.
The family will receive friends on Friday from 5:00 pm until 7:00 pm at Fox & Weeks Funeral Directors, Hodgson Chapel.
The funeral service will be held at 2:00 pm on Saturday, September 27, 2014, at Fox & Weeks Funeral Directors, Hodgson Chapel.
Interment will follow in Bonaventure Cemetery.
Remembrances : The Alzheimer’s Association of Savannah, 201 Television Circle, Savannah, GA 31406.
Please sign our on-line guest book at www.foxandweeks.com
We remember Wally and Joyce so fondly from our days together at Raven Crest in Gatlinburg, TN. We expected them to visit each October and they did until Joyce's demise. The last visit was in November 2012 with son, Mac. We were friendly rivals when it came to TN/GA football. Jack played and coached at TN and Wally was a TN fan unless we played GA. Ironically, his funeral service was the day of the TN/GA game in Athens, 9/27/14; GA won again 35-32 but TN gave Wally a scare, we know. Peace be with Mac, Joy, and all Wally's family. Wally is happy with Joyce and others today.
- Jack & Rose Ann Kile, Knoxville, TN
Goodbye to our "autumn friend". For many years we have enjoyed meeting in the fall to tour the mountains, go to the apple orchards and eat huge ice cream cones. Remember - old marines never die, in your case I don't think you will even fade away. Bless you all.
- Cochran, Jefferson City, tn
I am so sorry for your loss death is a very hard thing to bear , But did you know that Bible holds out a hope for a resurrection for our love ones?Well it dose please read John 5:28,29 this scripture will give family comfort and hope. Again I am sorry for your loss.
- Mary cooper, Savannah, Ga
I am so sorry for your loss death is a very hard thing to bear , But did you know that Bible holds out a hope for a resurrection for our love ones?Well it dose please read John 5:28,29 this scripture will give family comfort and hope. Again I am sorry for your loss.
- Mary cooper, Savannah, Ga
Share your condolences with the family
- Mary cooper, Savannah, Ga
We remember Wally and Joyce so fondly from our days together at Raven Crest in Gatlinburg, TN. We expected them to visit each October and they did until Joyce's demise. The last visit was in November 2012 with son, Mac. We were friendly rivals when it came to TN/GA football. Jack played and coached at TN and Wally was a TN fan unless we played GA. Ironically, his funeral service was the day of the TN/GA game in Athens, 9/27/14; GA won again 35-32 but TN gave Wally a scare, we know. Peace be with Mac, Joy, and all Wally's family. Wally is happy with Joyce and others today.
- Jack & Rose Ann Kile, Knoxville, TN
Goodbye to our "autumn friend". For many years we have enjoyed meeting in the fall to tour the mountains, go to the apple orchards and eat huge ice cream cones. Remember - old marines never die, in your case I don't think you will even fade away. Bless you all.
- Cochran, Jefferson City, tn
I am so sorry for your loss death is a very hard thing to bear , But did you know that Bible holds out a hope for a resurrection for our love ones?Well it dose please read John 5:28,29 this scripture will give family comfort and hope. Again I am sorry for your loss.
- Mary cooper, Savannah, Ga
I am so sorry for your loss death is a very hard thing to bear , But did you know that Bible holds out a hope for a resurrection for our love ones?Well it dose please read John 5:28,29 this scripture will give family comfort and hope. Again I am sorry for your loss.
- Mary cooper, Savannah, Ga
Share your condolences with the family
- Mary cooper, Savannah, Ga
Services under the direction of:
Fox & Weeks Funeral Directors, Hodgson Chapel
912-352-7200
