George William Davies

The funeral service is live-streamed at: https://www.ourlivingwater.org/georgedavies.html

George W. Davies, age 93, of Willmar, passed away Sunday, May 25, at The Pillars Assisted Living in Grand Rapids, where they had recently moved.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, July 18, at the Church of St. Mary. Interment will be in the church cemetery with military honors provided by the Willmar American Legion Post #167. Visitation will be from 5-7 p.m. on Thursday, July 17, at Peterson Brothers Funeral Home and will continue for one hour prior to the service. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to donor’s choice. Arrangements are entrusted to Peterson Brothers Funeral Home. www.petersonbrothers.com

George William Davies was born November 1, 1931, at home in St Peter, Minnesota, to George, Sr and Ruby (Strand) Davies. He was baptized and confirmed at Trinity Lutheran Church, earning 7 yearly Perfect Attendance awards in Sunday School.

He graduated from St Peter High School in 1949, participating in track and singing lead tenor in the boys’ quartet.

He served for 2 years in the Army during the Korean war, designated Information/Education leader for his unit.

On August 22, 1953, he married Dorothy “Dody” Novotny in Montgomery. And to this union, they were blessed with a daughter, Cathy, and a son, Allen.

George graduated from Gustavus Adolphus College in 1955, with a bachelor’s degree in English and Speech. He was a member of the Concert Choir. While attending school he was employed in the recreation department of the St Peter State Hospital.

He taught for 2 years in Montgomery High School, before moving to Willmar in 1958 where he taught high school English and Speech for 33 years, directed plays and taught evening Adult Education at the vocational school. He initiated the CADRE program in which high school students assisted other students at varying grade levels.

He was a member of both the Teachers Federation and the Education Association, serving twice as president of the federation.

In 1964, he earned a Master’s degree in English & Speech from Mankato State University.

George was a member of St Mary’s Church where he sang in the adult choir for many years & “Him Sing.” He was active in the Willmar Sportsmen’s Club & founded the Jr Sportsmen’s Club. He was a member of Senior Citizen’s Club, 2 snowmobile clubs, Kandiyohi County Sheriff’s Emergency Sno Patrol, People On Watch, and Willmar Community Emergency Response Team. He was a support member of Women on Wheels motorcycle organization. He sang in the Willmar Community Chorus. He and Dody enjoyed singing (often in duet) for many family and community special occasions.

He taught snowmobile safety classes and gun safety training and was a Cub Scout leader.

Following retirement in 1991, George and Dody enjoyed national and international travel to 7 continents, including motorcycle tours of New Zealand, Spain & South Africa. He treasured spending summers at their cottage near Grand Rapids where he enjoyed working in the woods, gardening, fishing and inventing/improving creations such as an award-winning mobile deer stand and a combination sitting area and fireplace named “Tin Man.” Winter provided many hours & miles of snowmobiling.

George took delight in his children and granddaughter, Kaitlyn.

He is survived by his wife of 71 years, Dody; daughter, Catherine Davies of Atlanta GA and Grand Rapids MN; son, Allen (Kari) Davies of Spring Lake Park MN: & granddaughter Kaitlyn Davies (fiancé Josh Warner). Also surviving are his sister-in-law Luann Novotny; 6 nieces & 2 nephews; special “family,” Diane & Ken Warner of Big Lake, Sue & Tyke Yoakum & Bill Ruf of Willmar & many other relatives & friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, brother, Earl; sisters, Lorraine Edward & Dolores Holteen; brothers-in-law, Ben Holteen, George Edward, Don Novotny & Bob Beaulieu; sisters-in-law, Anyta Davies & Evelyn Novotny; son-in-law Larry Johnson.