William "Bill" Davis
November 11, 1942 ~ December 7, 2025
Dr. William A. “Bill” Davis, 83, a nationally recognized pioneer in the field of in-vitro fertilization, peacefully transitioned into eternal life at his home on December 7, 2025 with family by is side.
Born on November 11, 1942. He devoted his career to giving life. He was a gifted and compassionate OB-GYN whose work helped countless couples conceive families of their own. His calm and affirming bedside manner, paired with his innovative work in reproductive endocrinology, leaves a multigenerational legacy of life and love.
Bill was a true renaissance man — abundantly kind, generous, creative, intellectually curious, artistic, and adventurous. He loved literature, art, music, culture, history, politics, and all things Star Wars and Star Trek. He found joy in nature: skiing in Colorado, hiking the Cascades and Rockies, snorkeling, scuba diving and kayaking in Hawaii, and fishing in the pristine waters of Alaska. He honored his creativity through carving totem poles, gardening, singing in choir, reading, writing stories and volunteering at the medical Lending Closet.
Bill married Yvonne Spicher Davis in 1991 and practiced medicine alongside her until her passing in 2012. Bill married Kathryn Franzenburg in 2013. Together they traveled, sang, and did volunteer work, most recently in Alaska.
Bill is survived by his former wife, Jan and their sons, Jason (Kristin) Davis and Matt (Brittany) Davis; Yvonne’s children, Julie (Rob) Schladetzky, Cary Spicher, Lori Spicher (Shawn Pink), Casey (Pam) Spicher, and Greg Spicher, (Dr. Laurie Lundblad); his wife, Kathryn and her children, Stephen (Kara), Jason, and Binh (Ngo); grandchildren, Brock, Brody, Hunter, Mackensie, Jon, Tyler, Bret (Jenny), Chase (Yezenia), Amber, Lindsey, Trent (LeAnn) Alex (Ashley), Mandy, Frankie (Nick), Jeremy (Rob), Dylan (Mandy), Kayla (Corey) Cade, Ella, Seth, and Stella; and great-grandchildren, Jaxson, Brock, Gage, Dawson, Lily, Amara, Isaiah, Piper, Ren, Lyn, Maeve, Flora, Miles. He loved all his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, as his own. He is also survived by his beloved brother, Neal (Susan Adams); nephew, Graham; great-niece, Wilhelmina; and most recently “adopted family” from Namibia, Rauna; and her children, Casey, Cathy and Soriyah.
He was preceded in death by his parents, George E. Davis, Jr. and Ruth C. (Neis) Davis; his wife, Yvonne; and nephew, Jesse Davis.
A Celebration of his life will be held on Sunday, December 28, 2025, at 2:00 p.m. at St. Stephen’s Lutheran Church, 610 31st Street SE, Cedar Rapids, IA.
In lieu of flowers memorial can be designated to the Lending Closet at Grace Episcopal Church, 525 A Ave NE, Cedar Rapids, IA 52401, where Bill volunteered,…a gift that keeps on giving and serving others.
Bill believed in God’s unconditional love for all people and all creation. Love, not death, will have the final word.
Services
Celebration of Life:
Sunday, December 28, 2025
2:00 pm
St. Stephen's Lutheran Church
610 31st Street SE
Cedar Rapids, IA 52403
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The lending closet will be missing you many years volunteering with us we loved you as much as you loved the MLC.
I hope it is not lost on everyone that he is wearing his UI identification tag in the picture on the memorial page. The Department of OBGYN at UI was fortunate to recruit Dr. Davis to UI after he closed his private practice in Cedar Rapids in October 1999. He was an active and productive member of the REI division during a particularly exciting time for that division as it was growing into a leading REI division in the country. He was active clinically, particularly in IVF, and in research. Dr. Davis retired with emeritus status in the summer of 2016. He and his family have been generous donors to our department, particularly for the REI Fellows Education Fund. He leaves behind a strong legacy in our department. His memory is a blessing to us all and our thoughts are with his family.
It was a true pleasure to work with Dr. Davis all through the years. He was an outstanding physician, and I recall other physicians talking about what a great technician he was in the operating room. His legend will live on through all the families he helped during his career. Peace, prayers and love to his family and friends during this holiday and always.
Truly a great man, physician, mentor and teacher. In my family medicine training, he was a great teacher for Ob-Gyn. I also did an outpatient gynecologic endocrinology rotation with him. My prayers are with the family for their loss and time of grieving.
Dr. Davis was a remarkable educator and mentor for countless medical students, interns, residents, and practicing physicians throughout his career. He gave generously of his time through the Cedar Rapids Family Medicine Residency program in the 70s, 80s, and 90s. His impact on healthcare in Eastern Iowa is immeasurable.
Dr. Davis delivered our first child, a son, on April 22 1979. It was a beautiful spring day with temps close to 80 degrees. Dr Davis was so wonderful to us, a calm spirit within the excitement of a first baby for us. Our most sincere condolences to the entire family.
Many, including our family, were blessed to have Dr. Davis in our lives. When we were expecting our youngest daughter, he was a wonderful physician providing great care, insights, and support while offering wonderful humanity during that journey. We appreciate his life and how he made the world a better place – thank you, Dr. Davis!
Our Deepest Sympathy,
Kathleen & Pat O’Donnell
I am so sorry to hear of the passing of Dr. Davis. I cannot thank him enough because of him, I am a Mom today. He helped me conceive twins in 1998 and when he found out I was in labor came in special to make sure he was there to complete my delivery. He and Yvonne went above and beyond for me and I am forever blessed for knowing them. My heart goes out to all the family during this difficult time. ❤️
Where do I start? Dr. Davis gave me hope of having my own children when that was in doubt. He and Yvonne carried my husband and me through the long treatment process and then was able to refer us to the U of I when their program was still quite new. In the end he delivered my first son in 1990 (ivf) and my twins (frost) in 1992. He ultimately came to celebrate their high school graduations. Dr. Davis will forever hold a special place in my heart. A dear man.
Jason and Matt,
Sorry for your loss. I think of you all often. Your dad was the best go to guy for advice.
Brooks
I’m first cousin to Bill…his mother and my dad were siblings. I have several memories of Bill, but one of them is of being together at our grandmother’s home in Wacker, a country community near Savanna, IL…no running water in the house, only a hand pump on a sink and an outhouse. But she did have two apple trees in her front yard. One of them had a branch that was low enough and horizontal enough that the two of us could sit there and chat. Karen (Neis) Anderson