life giving back .” And he continues to operate according to this mantra to this day . In addition to his board service at Hillcrest Baptist Medical Center , he has also been actively involved in his church and community , including serving several terms on the Waco City Council and a stint as mayor of Waco from 1981 to 1982 . He considers his greatest achievement during his tenure on the HBMC board to be the renovation of the hospital in the 1990s . As a result of this effort , the emergency room was named after Mr . and Mrs . Davis , Sr .
His true passion Mr . Davis ’ s passion for benevolence originates in a basic operating principle for his life : Everything worthwhile must be paid for with money as well as effort . Knowing this to be true , he pursues a life of service to help bring worthwhile community projects to fruition .
“ I ’ ve been about the fundraising business all my life ,” he says . “ I ’ ve always wanted to be part of causes that inspire people to rally together for the well-being and benefit of others . Being a fundraiser allows me to have those meaningful conversations with people who also want to give back .” His passions include Columbus Avenue Baptist Church , where he is a deacon , and hospital initiatives .
Though charitable in many areas of life , he holds a special affinity for healthcare fundraising . In undeniably genuine words , he explains , “ Next to health , family is your wealth .”
He views being elected to the
Hillcrest Baptist Medical Center Board of Directors more than 25 years ago as one of the highest honors of his life and is proud to have served the board faithfully over the years . He has been chairman of the Hillcrest Foundation Board , and now serves on the Hillcrest Board of Visitors for the Scott & White Healthcare Foundation . Through this role , he is able to focus solely on
“ I ’ ve been blessed with much in this life . I want to spend the rest of my life giving back .”
— Billy Davis , Sr .
fundraising , which he loves . Mrs . Davis also has an impressive legacy of service to the hospital . A 35-year volunteer , she has served in most areas of the hospital . Twice she served as president of the Hillcrest Auxiliary , also a volunteer effort .
With the announcement of the plan of Scott & White to develop a top-rated cancer center in Waco , Mr . Davis felt compelled to play a role in the project . He has worked diligently with his fellow board members to raise the $ 4 million necessary to break ground on the center , which is set to open in November 2013 . He and the others are dedicated to raising the remaining $ 2 million in the coming months .
Instilling family values Philanthropy and service are values the Davis family holds dear , values that have been transmitted from father and mother , to son . Billy Davis , Jr ., recalls learning from his parents ’ example . “ My father and mother actively taught me the vital nature of philanthropy and service by setting an example for us ,” he says . “ As I watched their life and decisions , I learned what it looked like to put the benefit of others first .”
Mr . Davis , Jr ., lives these values today . He has served on the Hillcrest Baptist Medical Center Board of Directors for the last 11 years , currently as chairman . He and his wife , Patty , are also actively involved in local ministries , including Mission Waco and Waco Community Development Corporation .
Both father and son express optimism for the future of Scott & White Healthcare . “ I was on the board when Scott & White and Hillcrest merged ,” Billy Davis , Jr ., says . “ It ’ s been an absolute blessing to Hillcrest . Scott & White ’ s dedication to clinical excellence has enhanced the already wonderful patient care provided by Hillcrest . All of Waco has been the recipient of the benefit of this great partnership .”
His father affirms the sentiment . “ The cancer center that we are raising funds for will be a shining example of the great partnership between Scott & White and Hillcrest . It will be a vital component of providing the best healthcare in Central Texas .” n
sw . org | November 13 The Catalyst 35