Joe William Davis (October 22, 1918 – November 14, 1992) was an American politician who served as mayor of Huntsville, Alabama, for five consecutive terms from 1968 to 1988.[2] He unsuccessfully sought a sixth term. Davis is the second-longest-serving mayor of Huntsville, behind only Alex W. McAllister.

Joe W. Davis
Davis in February 1970
64th[1] Mayor of Huntsville
In office
1968–1988
Preceded byGlenn Hearn
Succeeded bySteve Hettinger
Personal details
Born(1918-10-22)October 22, 1918
Huntsville, Alabama, U.S.
DiedNovember 14, 1992(1992-11-14) (aged 74)
Huntsville, Alabama, U.S.
ProfessionEducator, businessman
ReligionPresbyterian

Born in nearby New Market, Alabama, Davis had worked as a teacher and a businessman before becoming Huntsville's mayor.[3] He was a veteran of World War II. Married with a family, Davis was a Freemason and member of Helion Lodge #1 in Huntsville. He is buried at Maple Hill Cemetery in Huntsville.[4]

Tributes

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The Joe W. Davis Stadium in Huntsville, home of the Huntsville Stars baseball team from 1985 through 2014, is named in his honor.[5] The stadium is under development to be the home of MLS Next Pro team Huntsville City Football Club whose inaugural season began in March 2023.

References

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  1. ^ Before 1916, the office was known as "President." Davis was the 8th to hold the title of "Mayor."
  2. ^ "Huntsville's History of Mayors". City of Huntsville, Alabama. Archived from the original on January 15, 2012. Retrieved September 12, 2012.
  3. ^ "New Market Celebrates its History" (PDF). The Huntsville Historical Review. Vol. 17, no. 1. Huntsville, AL: The Huntsville-Madison County Historical Society. Winter–Spring 1990. p. 29. Retrieved May 8, 2013.
  4. ^ "Davis, Joe W." Maple Hill Cemetery Map. City of Huntsville, Alabama. Retrieved March 5, 2015.[permanent dead link]
  5. ^ Knight, Graham (June 9, 2010). "Joe Davis Stadium". Baseball Pilgrimages. Retrieved May 8, 2013.