The son of Mrs. Essie Davis of Columbus and the late James W. Davis, Sr., "Walt", as he was affectionately known by family and friends, was a native of Columbus, GA who attended William H. Spencer High School. He was a member of Gethsemane Baptist Church. He was a certified painter for over 30 years whose last employment was with Five Point Painting Contractors.

Other than his father, he was preceded in death by a brother, Ernest Davis. Surviving other than his mother are a loving and devoted wife, Sherry Passmore Davis; two daughters, Kelli Hand(Benny) and Teresa Alexander(Ship); two sons, Joseph and Michael Binder; five grandchildren; one brother, Mikal Muhammad(Chloe); two sisters, Priscilla Reynolds(Dwight) and Dorothy Sutherland; one aunt, Rosa Washington and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, in-laws, other relatives and friends.