Bill Davis - conservationist

If you’ve visited Elizabeth Swan Park then you are likely familiar with the Bill Davis Chalet. Many town events are held there including Arts Under The Stars, the weekly free summer concert series. The chalet officially opened in Aug. 2014.

 

Do you know who Bill Davis was?

 

The respected wildlife conservationist accomplished a lot in his lifetime. Here is an article from The Packet from July 16, 1986.

 

 

Residents of Clarenville were saddened to learn on Friday of the sudden death of Bill Davis, aged 38, of Holyrood. He died at the Health Science Complex in St. John’s on Friday morning from complications of a rare disease known as the bird fancier’s disease.

 

Bill Davis was well known to many people in Clarenville and surrounding areas. As the regional wildlife protection supervisor for the eastern area of the province, Mr. Davis was very active in promoting the protection and conservation of wildlife. He initiated the Dominion Ale Hunter Safety Program to promote safe hunting practices. He was also very involved in a program which taught wilderness survival to young people.

 

Mr. Davis, a native of Holyrood, graduated from the Maritime Forest Ranger School at Fredericton, New Brunswick, in December, 1968. He worked with the provincial forestry department for the next few years and in 1976 he began his career with the Wildlife Department.

 

He and his family moved to Clarenville in 1976 and Mr. Davis became quite involved in community affairs. Early in 1977 the Clarenville Rotary Club was formed and Mr. Davis was one of the charter members. As a member of the club he had a major role in having an area from Shoal Harbour to Lower Clarenville designated a protected area for Canada Geese.

 

He served on the executive of the Clarenville Athletic (Recreation) Association, as president and first vice-president; coached juvenile and midget hockey teams and worked tirelessly on the softball field and natural swimming pool at Tilley’s Road. He was also instrumental in developing a shooting range for the Rod and Gun Club.

 

As a member of the Roman Catholic congregation in Clarenville, Mr. Davis served on the building committee during the construction of a new church.

 

He served on the Clarenville Town Council for two years, from 1981 until he moved with his family to Holyrood in 1982, and he was honoured as the Citizen of the Year for 1981 for the Town of Clarenville. His involvement with civic activities continued when he moved to Holyrood. At the time of his death, Mr. Davis was Deputy Mayor of that town.

 

Mr. Davis was also very much involved with the Red Cross, especially in the area of promoting and teaching water safety. He was a member of the original water safety committee established in the early 1970’s and contributed to the writing of the guide manual. He served on the provincial executive of the Red Cross Small Crafts Water Safety Board and served on the national executive for one year.

 

In 1980 he was honoured by the Canadian Red Cross Society and presented with an Award of Merit, in recognition of his contribution to the Small Crafts Water Safety Program.

 

Last year Mr. Davis received the Wildlife Officer of the Year award. This award was an international award and was in recognition of his outstanding work in the protection and conservation of wildlife.

 

Despite his progressing illness Mr. Davis worked tirelessly until his death. He was admitted to hospital just three weeks beforehe died.