ENROLLED
2022 Regular Session
HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 82
BY REPRESENTATIVES ECHOLS AND THOMPSON
A RESOLUTION
To express the condolences of the House of Representatives upon the death of William
"Bill" Morgan Davenport.
WHEREAS, it is with immense sadness and profound regret that the House of
Representatives has learned of the death, on April 14, 2022, of William "Bill" Morgan
Davenport; and
WHEREAS, William Morgan Davenport was born on April 30, 1940, and he was
raised in the village of Mer Rouge, Louisiana, which was first settled in 1804 by his
ancestor, Josiah Davenport; and
WHEREAS, Bill graduated from Mer Rouge High School and then attended the
University of Mississippi; while at Ole Miss, he was a member of the Kappa Alpha Order
social fraternity, and he recounted his college years with the utmost fondness; and
WHEREAS, after graduating from Ole Miss, Mr. Davenport joined the United States
Army and National Guard; after serving, he returned to his hometown where he and his
brother, Joe Davenport, III, formed Davenport Bros., a partnership that operated substantial
agricultural holdings; and
WHEREAS, Bill and his brother also shared responsibility over another business
venture they undertook, the Andrews Morgan Farming Partnership; the two worked together
until Joe's passing in 2010; seven years after his brother's death, Bill partially retired from
farming; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Davenport was a unique individual who lived by his own personal
beliefs; he will be remembered as a man who was exceptionally reluctant to embrace
modernity and often expressed his yearning for a return to the world of his youth; he never
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touched a keyboard over the course of his eighty-two year life and was especially averse to
conversations over the phone, preferring instead to write letters to his friends and family; and
WHEREAS, Bill was as beloved for his generosity as he was known for his frugality;
he was an impeccably polite gentleman who was capable of out-swearing a sailor, especially
in his older years; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Davenport found his "knockout beauty" in a Monroe, Louisiana-
born woman named Leila Stevens who grew up in Bronxville, New York; he lovingly
referred to Leila as "his favorite Yankee" and recalled that "when they hit the dance floor,
that's what sealed the deal"; the two married on August 15, 1970, and built a home in Mer
Rouge where their union was blessed with two daughters; and
WHEREAS, William "Bill" Morgan Davenport leaves to cherish his memory his
daughters, Heather Davenport McCastlain, and her husband Cal, and Leila Davenport Ross,
and her husband Buff; and four grandchildren, William Davenport McCastlain, Margeaux
Stevens McCastlain, William Davenport Ross, and Barlow Mitchell Ross; and
WHEREAS, Bill possessed a genuine "iron will" that was most evident during his
successful battles with cancers in an eighteen-month period; he fought valiantly his whole
life and passed with true gratitude and peace; he will be deeply missed but certainly not
forgotten.
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the House of Representatives of the
Legislature of Louisiana does hereby express heartfelt condolences on the death of William
"Bill" Morgan Davenport and does hereby extend sincere wishes that his family and friends
find comfort during this difficult time.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to the
family of William "Bill" Morgan Davenport.
SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
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