Obituary of William F. Davenport Jr.

Davenport, William (Bill) F., Jr., 91 of St. Petersburg, FL passed away on January 11, 2019 with his loving wife of 42 years Sandra (Sandy) Davenport by his side. He was born on April 24, 1927 at Faith Hospital in St. Petersburg, FL to the late Orpha C. and William F. Davenport Sr.

Bill graduated from St. Petersburg High School in 1944, served two years in the United States Army as a Staff Sergeant stationed in Berlin, Germany, and graduated from St. Petersburg Junior College in 1948.

He attended law school, specializing in real estate, mortgage lending and land use for over 50 years. He served on the Board and was CEO of Florida Federal Savings & Loan. Next to law, his passions were reading, bass fishing on the lakes and rivers of Florida and playing tennis.

Bill was civically active throughout his life, serving as President of the St. Petersburg Chamber of Commerce, President of the Suncoast Chamber of Commerce, Charter Member and first President of PAL, Charter member and President of Suncoast Tiger Bay Club, Member of the St. Petersburg City Council, Executive Committees’ of the St. Petersburg Bar Association and Committee of 100 and Fellow member of the Board of Regents of the American College of Mortgage Attorneys. He also served 30 years as a Trustee of St. Anthony’s Hospital and 11 years on the Board of St. Leo College.

Bill was a lifetime member of First Presbyterian Church of St. Petersburg where he served in the capacity of Deacon and Ruling Elder. In 1984, Bill was honored for his civic work by the Suncoasters and named “Mr. Sun”.

In addition to his wife Sandy, he is survived by his three children, Michael Davenport, Patricia Davenport, Margaret Brommelsiek and husband, Rolf; many extended family members and friends.

The family will receive friends for a gathering from 4pm until the Celebration of Life  that will begin at 5pm on Friday, January 18, Anderson McQueen Family Tribute Center, 2201 Dr. MLK St. N. St. Petersburg, FL 33704.

 In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Bill’s name to a charity of your choice.