dates carved on upright gravestone are in error; dates on flat stone are correct
born Charles Gilman Raymond
died Robert Lee Davis aka "COUNTRY BILL"
Do you remember "Country Bill"?? Do you know someone who might?? Looking for any information, any memories, clues about his life or death. You can leave a message by selecting the "edit" tab above and select "suggest a correction" to send a note with your information. Check out his facebook page, search on Country Bill Virginia.
upright gravestone death 28 May 1971
newspapers report death 07 May 1971
death cert reports death 09 May 1971 but was signed by the doctor on 07 May 1971
All info on death certificate states "unknown" except details from his driver's license:
Robert Lee Davis, music promoter. There are no other details on death certificate as to family, marital status, birth date/place etc.
"Country Bill" was a mystery man nearly all his adult life but 45 years after his death the mystery of his identity has been solved.
Administration of his estate was filed in circuit court of Rockingham County VA 25 May 1971. Name listed as "Charles Raymond aka Robert Lee Davis." Estate valued at $100, executor was Sheriff A.L. Strawderman.
Here's what is known about Country Bill:
Left Massachusetts c.1935. Family lore is that he "joined the carnival" or he "joined the circus."
He promoted and supplied Country Western bands for dances for fire companies, non-profit organizations and clubs.
1965 May 6th working for Beers-Barnes Circus – arranged for a circus in Lonaconing, Maryland to be held in June 1965
1968 purchased a green 1962 Rambler at Brunswick, Georgia. At the time the car was bought he was living at Denmark Trailer Park, Alma, Georgia
1969 living in St Simons Island, Georgia; had a business, "Cock of the Walk Talent Agency." He had recently "lost an eye," and might need to go back to the hospital. He wrote a letter to his sister-in-law in Mass. asking her to come and get Nellie (Sullivan) Raymond, his mother, who was frail, senile and wandering, and who spoke only of going to Mass. to be buried in the Raymond family lot. He said he would otherwise probably have to put Nellie in an institution. [Mrs. Nellie Raymond of St. Simons, Ga. was named a surviving sister of Hazel Irene Boyea Heywood who died Jul. 1, 1969 as published in the Springfield, Mass. newspaper.]
1971 May 6 was in Stanardsville, Virginia booking a show
1971 May 7, 9:45am, found unconscious in his car just inside the western town limits of Elkton, Virginia
1971 May 7, 11:05am, died at Rockingham Memorial Hospital, Harrisonburg, Virginia
Georgia State driver's license had address of Route 1, Selma, Alabama
Car had Alabama tags
Had a $100 money order from Bernice Morris of Box No. 10, Edgewater, Florida
Affiliated with National Amusement Inc., Connecticut Avenue, Washington, D.C.
Also a connection with Lakeland, Florida
1971 June 17, 10:00am, Sheriff's Sale
[as published in The Daily News Record]
The Sheriff of Rockingham County, unable to find nearest relative who will claim body of Robert Lee Davis (better known as Country Bill), will sell the following items at Public Auction on Thursday 17, 1971, at the County School Bus Garage on Kratzer Road. The auctioneer will be George Heatwole...[list of articles for sale]
1971 June 19, 2:00pm – funeral at Lindsey Funeral Home, 473 South Main Street, Harrisonburg, Virginia
Pallbearers were six Rockingham County Sheriff's deputies; only the pallbearers, Sheriff Strawderman, and a couple of other people who knew Bill from his country music venues in Elkton/Harrisonburg were there.
Buried in Sheriff A.L. "Dick" Strawderman's family plot at Lacey Spring Cemetery, Lacey Spring, Virginia
The Associated Press carried the story of Country Bill's death and the search for his next of kin. Published in several papers across the south, headlines read: "'COUNTRY BILL' IS DEAD, BUT NO ONE REALLY CARES", "COUNTRY DANCE PROMOTER DIES 'JUST PLAIN BILL'" and "NO ONE CLAIMS BODY 'COUNTRY BILL' DAVIS, MUSIC PROMOTER, DIES"
Following is a summary from multiple publications:
Harrisonburg, Va.
Various newspapers report the story of Bill being found on May 7, 1971 unconscious in his car in the town of Elkton, he died an hour and a half later at the Rockingham Memorial Hospital from an apparent heart attack.
County deputy Earl Turner of Rockingham did his best to track down who Bill was but after weeks of trying, he did not find any next of kin. Turner put out calls to police departments in Florida, Georgia, Alabama, and Washington, D.C.
Bill had a $100 money order from Mrs Bernice Morris (perhaps Martha Burnice "Polly" Ashton Morris Find A Grave Memorial# 34213492 ?) of Edgewater, Fla. and Lakeland, Fla. but Mrs Morris could not be located. She had a post office drawer but her residential address was unknown.
Bill's car had Alabama tags with an address of Route 1 Selma; his driver's permit listed his address as Denmark Trailer Park, Alma; his 1969 registration listed his address as St Simons, Ga. From posters and paperwork in his car Deputy Turner discovered Bill was a booking agent for National Amusements in Washington, D.C. but no phone number was found nor was anyone at their offices.
Bill's car, which was purchased in Brunswick, Ga., contained "a collection of cheap clothing, two guitars and two portable typewriters."
Turner said Bill was a booking agent, providing bands for dances. The groups that utilized Bill's services "knew him only as 'Country Bill' and said they had no contact with him before he came to arrange a dance or after a band was furnished."
Bill's body was released from the hospital to the Lindsey Harrisonburg funeral home per approval of the District Attorney of Harrisonburg County. Turner said that the funeral home could hold the body for about six weeks then "Bill probably will be buried as a pauper," and his belongings would be auctioned off to pay for the burial expenses. The auction was held on Thursday June 17, 1971 and took 20 minutes.
Bill's funeral was held on Saturday June 19, 1971 with six Rockingham Country Sheriff's deputies serving as pall bearers. His belongings at auction raised little more than $300, the remaining money needed to cover the $965 funeral cost was covered by free services and donations. The Sheriff wrote the check that paid the bill in full. Bill's burial plot was also donated by the Sheriff, A.L. "Dick" Strawderman at Lacey Spring Cemetery.
born Charles Gilman Raymond
died Robert Lee Davis aka "COUNTRY BILL"
Do you remember "Country Bill"?? Do you know someone who might?? Looking for any information, any memories, clues about his life or death. You can leave a message by selecting the "edit" tab above and select "suggest a correction" to send a note with your information. Check out his facebook page, search on Country Bill Virginia.
upright gravestone death 28 May 1971
newspapers report death 07 May 1971
death cert reports death 09 May 1971 but was signed by the doctor on 07 May 1971
All info on death certificate states "unknown" except details from his driver's license:
Robert Lee Davis, music promoter. There are no other details on death certificate as to family, marital status, birth date/place etc.
"Country Bill" was a mystery man nearly all his adult life but 45 years after his death the mystery of his identity has been solved.
Administration of his estate was filed in circuit court of Rockingham County VA 25 May 1971. Name listed as "Charles Raymond aka Robert Lee Davis." Estate valued at $100, executor was Sheriff A.L. Strawderman.
Here's what is known about Country Bill:
Left Massachusetts c.1935. Family lore is that he "joined the carnival" or he "joined the circus."
He promoted and supplied Country Western bands for dances for fire companies, non-profit organizations and clubs.
1965 May 6th working for Beers-Barnes Circus – arranged for a circus in Lonaconing, Maryland to be held in June 1965
1968 purchased a green 1962 Rambler at Brunswick, Georgia. At the time the car was bought he was living at Denmark Trailer Park, Alma, Georgia
1969 living in St Simons Island, Georgia; had a business, "Cock of the Walk Talent Agency." He had recently "lost an eye," and might need to go back to the hospital. He wrote a letter to his sister-in-law in Mass. asking her to come and get Nellie (Sullivan) Raymond, his mother, who was frail, senile and wandering, and who spoke only of going to Mass. to be buried in the Raymond family lot. He said he would otherwise probably have to put Nellie in an institution. [Mrs. Nellie Raymond of St. Simons, Ga. was named a surviving sister of Hazel Irene Boyea Heywood who died Jul. 1, 1969 as published in the Springfield, Mass. newspaper.]
1971 May 6 was in Stanardsville, Virginia booking a show
1971 May 7, 9:45am, found unconscious in his car just inside the western town limits of Elkton, Virginia
1971 May 7, 11:05am, died at Rockingham Memorial Hospital, Harrisonburg, Virginia
Georgia State driver's license had address of Route 1, Selma, Alabama
Car had Alabama tags
Had a $100 money order from Bernice Morris of Box No. 10, Edgewater, Florida
Affiliated with National Amusement Inc., Connecticut Avenue, Washington, D.C.
Also a connection with Lakeland, Florida
1971 June 17, 10:00am, Sheriff's Sale
[as published in The Daily News Record]
The Sheriff of Rockingham County, unable to find nearest relative who will claim body of Robert Lee Davis (better known as Country Bill), will sell the following items at Public Auction on Thursday 17, 1971, at the County School Bus Garage on Kratzer Road. The auctioneer will be George Heatwole...[list of articles for sale]
1971 June 19, 2:00pm – funeral at Lindsey Funeral Home, 473 South Main Street, Harrisonburg, Virginia
Pallbearers were six Rockingham County Sheriff's deputies; only the pallbearers, Sheriff Strawderman, and a couple of other people who knew Bill from his country music venues in Elkton/Harrisonburg were there.
Buried in Sheriff A.L. "Dick" Strawderman's family plot at Lacey Spring Cemetery, Lacey Spring, Virginia
The Associated Press carried the story of Country Bill's death and the search for his next of kin. Published in several papers across the south, headlines read: "'COUNTRY BILL' IS DEAD, BUT NO ONE REALLY CARES", "COUNTRY DANCE PROMOTER DIES 'JUST PLAIN BILL'" and "NO ONE CLAIMS BODY 'COUNTRY BILL' DAVIS, MUSIC PROMOTER, DIES"
Following is a summary from multiple publications:
Harrisonburg, Va.
Various newspapers report the story of Bill being found on May 7, 1971 unconscious in his car in the town of Elkton, he died an hour and a half later at the Rockingham Memorial Hospital from an apparent heart attack.
County deputy Earl Turner of Rockingham did his best to track down who Bill was but after weeks of trying, he did not find any next of kin. Turner put out calls to police departments in Florida, Georgia, Alabama, and Washington, D.C.
Bill had a $100 money order from Mrs Bernice Morris (perhaps Martha Burnice "Polly" Ashton Morris Find A Grave Memorial# 34213492 ?) of Edgewater, Fla. and Lakeland, Fla. but Mrs Morris could not be located. She had a post office drawer but her residential address was unknown.
Bill's car had Alabama tags with an address of Route 1 Selma; his driver's permit listed his address as Denmark Trailer Park, Alma; his 1969 registration listed his address as St Simons, Ga. From posters and paperwork in his car Deputy Turner discovered Bill was a booking agent for National Amusements in Washington, D.C. but no phone number was found nor was anyone at their offices.
Bill's car, which was purchased in Brunswick, Ga., contained "a collection of cheap clothing, two guitars and two portable typewriters."
Turner said Bill was a booking agent, providing bands for dances. The groups that utilized Bill's services "knew him only as 'Country Bill' and said they had no contact with him before he came to arrange a dance or after a band was furnished."
Bill's body was released from the hospital to the Lindsey Harrisonburg funeral home per approval of the District Attorney of Harrisonburg County. Turner said that the funeral home could hold the body for about six weeks then "Bill probably will be buried as a pauper," and his belongings would be auctioned off to pay for the burial expenses. The auction was held on Thursday June 17, 1971 and took 20 minutes.
Bill's funeral was held on Saturday June 19, 1971 with six Rockingham Country Sheriff's deputies serving as pall bearers. His belongings at auction raised little more than $300, the remaining money needed to cover the $965 funeral cost was covered by free services and donations. The Sheriff wrote the check that paid the bill in full. Bill's burial plot was also donated by the Sheriff, A.L. "Dick" Strawderman at Lacey Spring Cemetery.
dates carved on upright gravestone are in error; dates on flat stone are correct
born Charles Gilman Raymond
died Robert Lee Davis aka "COUNTRY BILL"
Do you remember "Country Bill"?? Do you know someone who might?? Looking for any information, any memories, clues about his life or death. You can leave a message by selecting the "edit" tab above and select "suggest a correction" to send a note with your information. Check out his facebook page, search on Country Bill Virginia.
upright gravestone death 28 May 1971
newspapers report death 07 May 1971
death cert reports death 09 May 1971 but was signed by the doctor on 07 May 1971
All info on death certificate states "unknown" except details from his driver's license:
Robert Lee Davis, music promoter. There are no other details on death certificate as to family, marital status, birth date/place etc.
"Country Bill" was a mystery man nearly all his adult life but 45 years after his death the mystery of his identity has been solved.
Administration of his estate was filed in circuit court of Rockingham County VA 25 May 1971. Name listed as "Charles Raymond aka Robert Lee Davis." Estate valued at $100, executor was Sheriff A.L. Strawderman.
Here's what is known about Country Bill:
Left Massachusetts c.1935. Family lore is that he "joined the carnival" or he "joined the circus."
He promoted and supplied Country Western bands for dances for fire companies, non-profit organizations and clubs.
1965 May 6th working for Beers-Barnes Circus – arranged for a circus in Lonaconing, Maryland to be held in June 1965
1968 purchased a green 1962 Rambler at Brunswick, Georgia. At the time the car was bought he was living at Denmark Trailer Park, Alma, Georgia
1969 living in St Simons Island, Georgia; had a business, "Cock of the Walk Talent Agency." He had recently "lost an eye," and might need to go back to the hospital. He wrote a letter to his sister-in-law in Mass. asking her to come and get Nellie (Sullivan) Raymond, his mother, who was frail, senile and wandering, and who spoke only of going to Mass. to be buried in the Raymond family lot. He said he would otherwise probably have to put Nellie in an institution. [Mrs. Nellie Raymond of St. Simons, Ga. was named a surviving sister of Hazel Irene Boyea Heywood who died Jul. 1, 1969 as published in the Springfield, Mass. newspaper.]
1971 May 6 was in Stanardsville, Virginia booking a show
1971 May 7, 9:45am, found unconscious in his car just inside the western town limits of Elkton, Virginia
1971 May 7, 11:05am, died at Rockingham Memorial Hospital, Harrisonburg, Virginia
Georgia State driver's license had address of Route 1, Selma, Alabama
Car had Alabama tags
Had a $100 money order from Bernice Morris of Box No. 10, Edgewater, Florida
Affiliated with National Amusement Inc., Connecticut Avenue, Washington, D.C.
Also a connection with Lakeland, Florida
1971 June 17, 10:00am, Sheriff's Sale
[as published in The Daily News Record]
The Sheriff of Rockingham County, unable to find nearest relative who will claim body of Robert Lee Davis (better known as Country Bill), will sell the following items at Public Auction on Thursday 17, 1971, at the County School Bus Garage on Kratzer Road. The auctioneer will be George Heatwole...[list of articles for sale]
1971 June 19, 2:00pm – funeral at Lindsey Funeral Home, 473 South Main Street, Harrisonburg, Virginia
Pallbearers were six Rockingham County Sheriff's deputies; only the pallbearers, Sheriff Strawderman, and a couple of other people who knew Bill from his country music venues in Elkton/Harrisonburg were there.
Buried in Sheriff A.L. "Dick" Strawderman's family plot at Lacey Spring Cemetery, Lacey Spring, Virginia
The Associated Press carried the story of Country Bill's death and the search for his next of kin. Published in several papers across the south, headlines read: "'COUNTRY BILL' IS DEAD, BUT NO ONE REALLY CARES", "COUNTRY DANCE PROMOTER DIES 'JUST PLAIN BILL'" and "NO ONE CLAIMS BODY 'COUNTRY BILL' DAVIS, MUSIC PROMOTER, DIES"
Following is a summary from multiple publications:
Harrisonburg, Va.
Various newspapers report the story of Bill being found on May 7, 1971 unconscious in his car in the town of Elkton, he died an hour and a half later at the Rockingham Memorial Hospital from an apparent heart attack.
County deputy Earl Turner of Rockingham did his best to track down who Bill was but after weeks of trying, he did not find any next of kin. Turner put out calls to police departments in Florida, Georgia, Alabama, and Washington, D.C.
Bill had a $100 money order from Mrs Bernice Morris (perhaps Martha Burnice "Polly" Ashton Morris Find A Grave Memorial# 34213492 ?) of Edgewater, Fla. and Lakeland, Fla. but Mrs Morris could not be located. She had a post office drawer but her residential address was unknown.
Bill's car had Alabama tags with an address of Route 1 Selma; his driver's permit listed his address as Denmark Trailer Park, Alma; his 1969 registration listed his address as St Simons, Ga. From posters and paperwork in his car Deputy Turner discovered Bill was a booking agent for National Amusements in Washington, D.C. but no phone number was found nor was anyone at their offices.
Bill's car, which was purchased in Brunswick, Ga., contained "a collection of cheap clothing, two guitars and two portable typewriters."
Turner said Bill was a booking agent, providing bands for dances. The groups that utilized Bill's services "knew him only as 'Country Bill' and said they had no contact with him before he came to arrange a dance or after a band was furnished."
Bill's body was released from the hospital to the Lindsey Harrisonburg funeral home per approval of the District Attorney of Harrisonburg County. Turner said that the funeral home could hold the body for about six weeks then "Bill probably will be buried as a pauper," and his belongings would be auctioned off to pay for the burial expenses. The auction was held on Thursday June 17, 1971 and took 20 minutes.
Bill's funeral was held on Saturday June 19, 1971 with six Rockingham Country Sheriff's deputies serving as pall bearers. His belongings at auction raised little more than $300, the remaining money needed to cover the $965 funeral cost was covered by free services and donations. The Sheriff wrote the check that paid the bill in full. Bill's burial plot was also donated by the Sheriff, A.L. "Dick" Strawderman at Lacey Spring Cemetery.
born Charles Gilman Raymond
died Robert Lee Davis aka "COUNTRY BILL"
Do you remember "Country Bill"?? Do you know someone who might?? Looking for any information, any memories, clues about his life or death. You can leave a message by selecting the "edit" tab above and select "suggest a correction" to send a note with your information. Check out his facebook page, search on Country Bill Virginia.
upright gravestone death 28 May 1971
newspapers report death 07 May 1971
death cert reports death 09 May 1971 but was signed by the doctor on 07 May 1971
All info on death certificate states "unknown" except details from his driver's license:
Robert Lee Davis, music promoter. There are no other details on death certificate as to family, marital status, birth date/place etc.
"Country Bill" was a mystery man nearly all his adult life but 45 years after his death the mystery of his identity has been solved.
Administration of his estate was filed in circuit court of Rockingham County VA 25 May 1971. Name listed as "Charles Raymond aka Robert Lee Davis." Estate valued at $100, executor was Sheriff A.L. Strawderman.
Here's what is known about Country Bill:
Left Massachusetts c.1935. Family lore is that he "joined the carnival" or he "joined the circus."
He promoted and supplied Country Western bands for dances for fire companies, non-profit organizations and clubs.
1965 May 6th working for Beers-Barnes Circus – arranged for a circus in Lonaconing, Maryland to be held in June 1965
1968 purchased a green 1962 Rambler at Brunswick, Georgia. At the time the car was bought he was living at Denmark Trailer Park, Alma, Georgia
1969 living in St Simons Island, Georgia; had a business, "Cock of the Walk Talent Agency." He had recently "lost an eye," and might need to go back to the hospital. He wrote a letter to his sister-in-law in Mass. asking her to come and get Nellie (Sullivan) Raymond, his mother, who was frail, senile and wandering, and who spoke only of going to Mass. to be buried in the Raymond family lot. He said he would otherwise probably have to put Nellie in an institution. [Mrs. Nellie Raymond of St. Simons, Ga. was named a surviving sister of Hazel Irene Boyea Heywood who died Jul. 1, 1969 as published in the Springfield, Mass. newspaper.]
1971 May 6 was in Stanardsville, Virginia booking a show
1971 May 7, 9:45am, found unconscious in his car just inside the western town limits of Elkton, Virginia
1971 May 7, 11:05am, died at Rockingham Memorial Hospital, Harrisonburg, Virginia
Georgia State driver's license had address of Route 1, Selma, Alabama
Car had Alabama tags
Had a $100 money order from Bernice Morris of Box No. 10, Edgewater, Florida
Affiliated with National Amusement Inc., Connecticut Avenue, Washington, D.C.
Also a connection with Lakeland, Florida
1971 June 17, 10:00am, Sheriff's Sale
[as published in The Daily News Record]
The Sheriff of Rockingham County, unable to find nearest relative who will claim body of Robert Lee Davis (better known as Country Bill), will sell the following items at Public Auction on Thursday 17, 1971, at the County School Bus Garage on Kratzer Road. The auctioneer will be George Heatwole...[list of articles for sale]
1971 June 19, 2:00pm – funeral at Lindsey Funeral Home, 473 South Main Street, Harrisonburg, Virginia
Pallbearers were six Rockingham County Sheriff's deputies; only the pallbearers, Sheriff Strawderman, and a couple of other people who knew Bill from his country music venues in Elkton/Harrisonburg were there.
Buried in Sheriff A.L. "Dick" Strawderman's family plot at Lacey Spring Cemetery, Lacey Spring, Virginia
The Associated Press carried the story of Country Bill's death and the search for his next of kin. Published in several papers across the south, headlines read: "'COUNTRY BILL' IS DEAD, BUT NO ONE REALLY CARES", "COUNTRY DANCE PROMOTER DIES 'JUST PLAIN BILL'" and "NO ONE CLAIMS BODY 'COUNTRY BILL' DAVIS, MUSIC PROMOTER, DIES"
Following is a summary from multiple publications:
Harrisonburg, Va.
Various newspapers report the story of Bill being found on May 7, 1971 unconscious in his car in the town of Elkton, he died an hour and a half later at the Rockingham Memorial Hospital from an apparent heart attack.
County deputy Earl Turner of Rockingham did his best to track down who Bill was but after weeks of trying, he did not find any next of kin. Turner put out calls to police departments in Florida, Georgia, Alabama, and Washington, D.C.
Bill had a $100 money order from Mrs Bernice Morris (perhaps Martha Burnice "Polly" Ashton Morris Find A Grave Memorial# 34213492 ?) of Edgewater, Fla. and Lakeland, Fla. but Mrs Morris could not be located. She had a post office drawer but her residential address was unknown.
Bill's car had Alabama tags with an address of Route 1 Selma; his driver's permit listed his address as Denmark Trailer Park, Alma; his 1969 registration listed his address as St Simons, Ga. From posters and paperwork in his car Deputy Turner discovered Bill was a booking agent for National Amusements in Washington, D.C. but no phone number was found nor was anyone at their offices.
Bill's car, which was purchased in Brunswick, Ga., contained "a collection of cheap clothing, two guitars and two portable typewriters."
Turner said Bill was a booking agent, providing bands for dances. The groups that utilized Bill's services "knew him only as 'Country Bill' and said they had no contact with him before he came to arrange a dance or after a band was furnished."
Bill's body was released from the hospital to the Lindsey Harrisonburg funeral home per approval of the District Attorney of Harrisonburg County. Turner said that the funeral home could hold the body for about six weeks then "Bill probably will be buried as a pauper," and his belongings would be auctioned off to pay for the burial expenses. The auction was held on Thursday June 17, 1971 and took 20 minutes.
Bill's funeral was held on Saturday June 19, 1971 with six Rockingham Country Sheriff's deputies serving as pall bearers. His belongings at auction raised little more than $300, the remaining money needed to cover the $965 funeral cost was covered by free services and donations. The Sheriff wrote the check that paid the bill in full. Bill's burial plot was also donated by the Sheriff, A.L. "Dick" Strawderman at Lacey Spring Cemetery.
