Z.W. (Rusty) Davis

Dec 11, 1929 - Nov. 5, 2026

Rusty passed from earthly life to eternal life on Nov. 5, 2026 following a hard fall.

Born west of Snyder during the depression, he was the youngest of 7 children by Zelma and Walter Davis. Zelma died when Rusty was 12. He left home at 14 and altered his birth date to get work.

Rusty built B24 Liberators for North American Aviation in Grand Prairie, Texas. He worked on various oil derricks in Utah, Montana, Oklahoma and Texas, and any other work to support himself. He married the pretty telephone operator Janelda Martin in 1949. He worked for Lion Oil at the Monsanto Gas Plant west of Snyder until his father-in-law asked him to deliver brick for the family owned Southwestern Brick and Tile in Snyder. He and Janelda bought Ben Wilson Supply in 1978. Together they founded Snyder Brick and Stone in 1982.

He began his over the road truck driving career as a driver trainer for JB Hunt at what anyone else would consider retirement age. The student drivers became a captive audience for his stories. He later owned and operated his own truck leased to Wal Mart. His stories came from these life experiences. Some were sad and most were tales of hard work and sincere feelings of gratitude for someone else. He never forgot a name of someone who helped him.

He loved a challenge and repaired things with depression era determination. As long as it met his standards it was good enough for anyone. His wit and dry humor was always interesting. He once told his best friend/caregiver "I'd tell ya how much I appreciate ya but then I'd have to give you a raise so I'm just not gonna tell ya."

He is survived by children Randy (Debra) Davis and Luann Grice. Also by 6 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren, extended family member Angela Achterburg and 4 nieces and 2 nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, 6 siblings, several nieces and nephews and son in law Bobby Grice.

Please join us as we celebrate his hardworking, colorful life and bring his old stories with you.

Rusty will be available for viewing at Miller Family Funeral Home until graveside service at Hillside Memorial Gardens at 3:00pm Monday November 9th. A reception of friends and family will follow at White Wings Event Venue across from the cemetery.

Online condolences may be shared with the family by visiting MillerFamilyFuneralHome.com.