Being the oldest of six kids, Sherwood "Woody" Davis was named after his grandfather. He was born in 1942 in Los Angeles while his father was working for Douglas Aircraft as a foreman. His father oversaw the women who were assembling parts for WWII planes. When the war was over, Woody's family moved back to Corbett. They moved into the "stone house" his grandfather had built on Gordon Creek Road. Woody's father then acquired the 10.5 acres next door from the county after the previous owner (now a widow) could no longer keep up with the taxes. Woody's father built a home on the land and raised his family there. After attending Corbett schools from first through twelfth grade, Woody married Judy Holt, age 15. Judy moved in with Woody's folks and finished high school while Woody spent six months of active duty with the National Guard in CA., then came home to work at a sheet metal factory. Eventually he got laid off and found work at Marckx Bakery for 10 years. Starting custom tractor work as a teen, Woody never left tractor work, even when he was employed elsewhere. What began as tiling gardens and mowing hay, later evolved into a custom haying operation. In 1963 he purchased his first bulldozer. Judy and Woody had three children together, Corinna, Shelly and Clint. Shelly died as an infant. They raised their children in Corbett and Clint always helped his dad when he was working outside, watching how carefully and how hard he worked. After 15 years together, Woody and Judy divorced, and Woody married Renee. Although they had no children together, Woody helped raise her three sons. In 1992, Woody and Clint officially began working together at Davis Excavation. It was dream come true for both of them. Many Corbett home sites have been cleared by the Davis men, as well as roads and driveways both built and cleared. Recently Woody found out he is suffering with ALS, and has limited days left. His body has changed as he is no longer able to eat solids and has lost 50 pounds. His speech has changed a bit and he says his hand muscles are not what they once were. Why the smile? He says he is touched by the outpouring of love from the community in which he raised his family. Married the last five years to Dori, a friend he attended school with in Corbett all twelve years, he is at peace. Woody says he loves the family land he lives on and feels wonderful leaving the family business in his son's capable hands, saying Clint is "better than I ever was" with the equipment. As for dying? "No fear- I know I am headed to Heaven because I have Jesus in my heart."
