Julius William “Billy” Daves, Jr., 56, passed away on Wednesday, February 5, 2025, at his home. Daves was born July 26, 1968, in Greensboro and was the son of Julius William “Bill” Daves and Nell Kern Daves. In his youth, he raced BMX traveling across the State and Region. He ranked second in the State and raced the Nationals held in Las Vegas.
Daves was a 37-year member of IATSE Local 574, a mixed local labor union for production labor in the stagecraft industry. He has worked on live music productions, movies, plays, and musicals. His passion was in rigging, and he traveled the world over for the last 20 years, touring as Head Rigger on many productions in the music industry.
He was a great mentor to many, and he was devoted to his family and cherished his time at home between tours. His sister always looked forward to his return for his loving bear hugs.
Daves is survived by his two daughters, Brittany Daves of Star and Kristen Daves of Walkertown; son, Matthew Daves of High Point; parents, Bill and Nell Daves of Star; sister, Susanne Daves-Brown (Phillip) of Julian; two grandchildren, Zoe Ward and Leo Watson; two nephews, Davey SaintSing and Daniel SaintSing; as well as a great-nephew and great-niece.
A Celebration of Life Service will be held at 3:00 PM Saturday, February 15, 2025, in the Chapel of Cumby Family Funeral Service in High Point. The family will speak with friends immediately following the service on Saturday at the funeral home.
Condolences may be sent to the family online on Daves’s tribute page at www.cumbyfuneral.com.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.
