Charles William Davis, also known as Santa Claus by many in the Rock Hill and Winthrop community passed away at age 79 on Sept. 1.
Davis’s role as Santa Claus began at Winthrop’s annual campus tree lighting ceremony many years ago. He would also go to Dinkins and Digs where students and faculty would have time with Santa.
“This was great because families could take their own photos and not have to worry about standing in a long time at the mall,” Garrick said. “When Bill put on that Santa suit, he was Santa. The twinkle in his eye, his white beard, and a laugh that bellowed through the building were all 100% authentic.”
Davis’ wife, Barbara Davis, a long time Winthrop employee, would also play the role as Mrs. Claus alongside Davis.
“Santa and Mrs. Claus were so gracious and genuine in their love for children and Winthrop students,” Garrick said.
Davis was involved in the community. While he took part in the community theater for many years and was active at Grace Lutheran Church, Davis sang in the choir and helped with the Boy Scouts and Lutheran campus ministry.
“He did all the good stuff, you know? Kind of like the real Santa would do,” Debbie Garrick, Senior Development Officer at Winthrop University said.
Winthrop used to hold an event called “Festival of Carols” which took place many years before Rock Hill’s “ChristmasVille” festival began. At this event, student brass ensembles would perform on the porches of Margret Nance, Bancroft, and the Byrnes Auditorium. Local school groups, the Winthrop Chorale, and the Ebonite choir would be a part of these performances.
“Bill, as Santa, would often stun the audience with his amazing voice as he sang along with some of Winthrop’s most talented music and theater students and faculty during the medley of carols that was always the finale,” Garrick said.
Aside from playing the role of Santa Claus in the community, Garrick said, “he was smart, talented, funny, had a sharp wit and wonderful bass voice with a laugh that did indeed sound like it belonged to Santa.”
Both of Davis’children, Heather Litzinger and Gregg Davis were Winthrop alumni. And, his son, Gregg Davis ‘92 was the recipient of Winthrop’s 2021 Alumni Professional Achievement Award.
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“He loved his family and was very proud of them,” Garrick said. “He adored his grandsons.”
“Winthrop students frequently lived at the Davis home (myself included back in the 80s) for a semester or a summer,” Garrick said. “The family pool was a site of many Residence Life or Orientation Leaders summer party, and there was a Christmas party for many Winthrop students who were considered extended family through the years.”
Numerous current and former Winthrop faculty, staff and alumni attended Davis’ funeral on Sept. 7, 2022. And, as everyone exited the ceremony, a Winthrop faculty member played “Here Comes Santa Claus” on the piano.
“I think that speaks to how much he was considered a part of the Winthrop family,” Garrick said.
