Robert Allan "Bob" Davis, age 87, of Centralia, Illinois, passed away on Saturday, September 13, 2014 at 8:22 A.M. at Crossroads Community Hospital in Mount Vernon, Illinois. He was born in Herrin, Illinois on April 30, 1927, the son of Rodney Alexander and Sadie Maud (Aaron) Davis. He married Gloria Ezell on September 22, 1981 at the Irvington United Methodist Church in Irvington , Illinois and she survives in Centralia, Illinois.

In addition to his wife of 32 years, Mr. Davis is survived by his sons; Randy Davis and wife Debbi of Cocoa, Florida, Doak Holloway and Annette Holloway of Farmington, Missouri and Dan Holloway and wife Martha of Shiloh, Illinois, 2 daughters; Debbie McMahon and husband Jeff Allsman of Bethalto, Illinois and Jama Westbrook and husband Doug of East Alton, Illinois, 9 grandchildren; Gary Davis, Lindsay Duggar and husband Ben, Stephanie Terry and husband Jake, Kelsey Westbrook, Brittani Anne Davis, Haydn Holloway, Kari Westbrook, Trevor Holloway and Isabel Holloway, 3 great grandchildren; Noah Davis, Emmi Duggar and Lexi Duggar, 1 brother; Bill Davis and wife Phyllis of Peoria, Illinois, 1 sister Judy Penn of Peoria, Illinois and many nieces and nephews.

Mr. Davis was preceded in death by his parents and brother Norman Davis.

Mr. Davis was veteran of the U.S. Navy serving during World War II from June 5, 1944 until June 13, 1946. During his service to his country, he was stationed on the U.S.S. Winged Arrow (AP 170). He enjoyed the outdoors especially hunting and fishing. Mr. Davis had his pilot license and flew to different parts of the world. After his days of flying, he loved traveling with his wife Gloria in their R.V.. As it was said by his family, "music was a big part of his life as he was playing since 9 years old. He played with the Big Bands in the 40's and then went on to have his own bands."

Mr. Davis grew up in Peoria, Illinois and joined the U.S. Navy in 1944. After the war, he moved to Florida and began working for NASA. While with NASA, he worked on the Mercury and Gemini Projects. After NASA, Mr. Davis founded his own Electrical Design and Engineering Business in West Palm, Florida from which he retired after moving to Illinois in 1997. He received numerous awards during his career including President Ronald Reagan's Presidential Task Force Medal of Merit.

In accordance with his wishes, Mr. Davis will be cremated. A Memorial Gathering will be held at a later date. Cremation rites accorded by the Moran Queen-Boggs Funeral Home in Centralia, Illinois. Online Expressions of Sympathy may be sent to Mr. Davis' family on Facebook.