William "Will" McCreery Davison, age 85, passed away on April 21, 2026, surrounded by family. Will was born on March 9, 1941, in Flint, Michigan, to Matthew Davison Jr. and Margaret (Non) Cumings Davison. He served in the United States Marine Corps Reserve before going on to build a distinguished career as a real estate attorney, though anyone who knew Will would tell you that work was never first. What people remember is Will in the bleachers, on the side of the ski hill at Hickory Hills, or in the audience. He showed up every time for the people he loved, and he made you laugh while he was there.

He was a man of genuine wit, humility, and kindness, with a smile that rarely left his face. He had a gift for putting new people at ease, always turning the conversation toward them rather than himself. He'd stop traffic to help a turtle cross the road—and we're only half kidding. Even in his final months in memory care, the aides who cared for him noticed it too: glimpses of the warmth and humor that defined him.

His dedication ran deep in his community too. Among his pro bono legal work was helping secure easements for the VASA trail, a gift to Northern Michigan that will outlast all of us.

Will married Diane on July 23, 1968, and together they built a life full of love, laughter, and travel while raising their daughters, Leslie and Laurie.

He was a natural teacher, patient and hands-on. He taught his daughters and friends to water ski, swim, tie a bowline, gybe a Sunfish, and hot-wax a toboggan. Hesitation was always met with his signature encouragement: “Easy mon-EY!” as many who grew up at Pinewood Point remember.

For much of his life, summers meant the family cottage, a place that anchored generations of memories: windsurfing on Lake Michigan, golfing at White Lake, and music on the porch. Long Lake and Northern Michigan was a year-round love: cross-country skiing the Vasa or the Birkebeiner, biking and running country roads, and sailing—especially the Race to Mackinac.

In later years, he and Diane found contentment at their cabin. Weekends were spent setting up the camera near the creek in hopes of spotting a bear or bobcat, building brush piles for critters, planting native wildflowers, filling bird feeders, watering (lots of it), and mowing with the John Deere. A black and white shih tzu was always nearby, cared for with the same attentiveness he brought to raising his daughters.

Music was a constant in his life, from playing piano with his mother as a boy to hospice music therapy at the very end. He would tap his foot, drift off, and wake again, clearly responsive to the music. Will loved bluegrass and gospel and played guitar, banjo, and dobro. Playing on his own and with friends and family (Laurie on piano, Leslie on banjo, and Dal on the guitar), often from the Old Town Playhouse songbook, brought him immense joy. He had a gift for drawing others in, teaching a few chords (G7) on the dobro so they could join in, often with "Amazing Grace."

He was preceded in death by his parents; his brothers, Matthew Davison III, James, and Charlie; and his sister, Mary Anne Kettler. He is survived by his beloved wife, Diane; his daughters, Leslie (Michael Dixon; bonus grandchildren Natalie and Eric) and Laurie; nieces and nephews; and his cousins with whom he shared a lifelong bond.

A celebration of life will be held at a later date.

Spotify Playlist honoring Will: Will's Memorial Playlist - playlist by Leslie Davison | Spotify