Benny Dwight Davis' Obituary
Benny Dwight Davis, age 87 of Corydon, passed away Tuesday December 17th, 2024 at Wayne County Hospital.
Benny was born on July 20th,1937 the son of Robert (Bob) V Davis and Mabel (Wilmot) Davis in Corydon, Iowa. He graduated from Corydon High School, in 1955. After spending a year studying aeronautical engineering at the University of Missouri in Columbia, he then transferred to Iowa State University to continue his studies. He decided that he had learned enough after 1 ½ years of college and returned to his hometown of Corydon to join the family dozer business. In 1959 he was joined in marriage to Joan (Olmstead) Davis. Benny and Joan adopted two infants, Jill in 1966 and Todd in 1968.
Benny spent his childhood working for his dad and Uncle Jim in the dozer business in Corydon, Iowa. In the 1960's, Benny, purchased the family business and continued this until 1990. Many ponds, roads and much of the land improvement and soil conservation projects in Wayne County were completed during his time in business. Benny was a person when he saw something there was always improvement to be made. Many hours were spent in his shop inventing and improving many items and processes. Benny loved grown up toys, to name a few, dragsters, hot rods, ski boats and of course planes. He loved to entertain at the 80 acre lake he built east of Corydon and found joy in teaching people to ski. He loved a good steak, fish fry, ice cream and Hershey bars. One of his greatest joys, was sharing his love of flying. He gave countless plane rides during his flying career. He was involved in the Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) 's Young Eagles Program. This provided youth ages 8-12 their first ride in an airplane. After completing over 300 flights, he received a special commendation. He was renowned worldwide for his expertise in building aerobatic airplanes and was extremely passionate about the Christian Eagle. One of the most recognizable and prominent projects he completed, along with his friend, Dean Kenney, was the dinosaurs east of Corydon on Highway 2.
Benny accepted Jesus Christ as his Savior at a very young age and served him in many ways during his lifetime. He served as a chairman of the building committee when the new church was built and in various other positions. He was very generous with his capabilities to help a friend or neighbor weld or repair a broken piece of equipment, ect. Or to help a fellow pilot with a problem on their plane.
He was one of the most intelligent, interesting, and innovative people you could ever meet. He will be greatly missed by anyone and everyone that had the privilege of knowing him.
Benny is survived by his wife of 65 years Joan, daughter Jill Henkle, son-in-law Steve Henkle, grandchildren: Jordan (Dominique) Neer, Bryce Neer, Lauren (Larry) Holmes, great-grandchildren: Tazech Neer, Hannah Devore, Halie Devore, Ryder Holmes, Braylen Neer, Lennox Neer, Emilia Craver, Rylee Holmes and Bexley Neer. Sisters Shirley (Dave) Bott, and Betty (Ray) Greenlee, nephew RJ (Autum Casey) Olmstead and numerous nieces, nephews, family and friends.
Benny was preceded in death by his parents, father-in-law Johnny Olmstead and son Todd.
Funeral services will take place Saturday, December 21, 2024 at 10:00 am at the Corydon Baptist Church in Corydon, Iowa with Interment to immediately follow at Corydon Cemetery. Visitation will be held Friday, December 20, 2024 from 5-7 PM at Thomas Funeral Home in Corydon. Memorials may be made to the Corydon Baptist Church or EAA Young Eagles and mailed to Thomas Funeral Home 303 E. Jefferson, Corydon, IA 50060 Attn: Davis Family. Condolences may be shared online at https://www.thomasfh.com or on our funeral home Facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/thomasfuneralhome.
What’s your fondest memory of Benny?
What’s a lesson you learned from Benny?
Share a story where Benny's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Benny you’ll never forget.
How did Benny make you smile?