William Davenport IV

William Davenport IV, aka Billy and Cool Ruler, was born August 6, 1955. Born to the union of William III and Essie Mae Davenport in Cincinnati, Ohio. He passed away on the morning of May 23, 2025, at Christ Hospital after battling a long illness, with family by his side.

Billy grew up in Mt. Auburn. He also lived in College Hill (where he gained the nickname Knuckles), Canterbury Garden, and Madisonville. He attended Cincinnati Public Schools. He was a die-hard fan of the Cincinnati Reds and Cincinnati Bengals, which he enjoyed those moments with his sister, son, and grandson. As a little boy his grandmother brought him a whole baseball suit that he would wear sunup to sundown. He would even hide his Cowboys and Indians in the pockets. Billy was different from the other little boys in the neighborhood. He was a humble and sweet little boy that carried on into his adulthood.

Billy’s mother taught him to cook (from scratch), clean, iron, etc., which he did well. His favorite pastimes included playing chess, Bid Whist, baseball, basketball, and shooting pool. He also enjoyed traveling and baking cakes, cookies, and pies.

Billy started off by being a true hustler by selling shopping bags at Findlay Market. From there he worked with his father at Cincinnati Fruit & Extract Co. He went on to work at Velva Sheen in Fairfax, Ohio. He also was a contractor for CMHA as a painter. Later, he became the founder of Seven Seals and Seven Seals Painting LLC. Billy had a great work ethic. He was dependable, devoted, and a very hard worker, loved by all his past employees.

In 1986 Billy started studying Rastafari and that’s how he inquired the name Cool Ruler.

Later in life he married Danisha White on October 24, 2021.

Billy was a devoted husband, father, son, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother, and uncle. He was preceded in death by his grandparents, William and Alice Johnson (maternal) and Florence and William Davenport Jr. (paternal); his father, William Davenport III; brother, Mark Anthony Davenport; sister, Iris Johnson; uncle, Robert (Bob) Johnson; his two children, Afrika and Jah Haile Crawford, and three dear friends, Booker, Butchie, and Mr. Lou.

He leaves behind to cherish his precious memories: mother, Essie Mae Davenport; his lovely wife, Danisha White Davenport; mother-in-law, Muriel White; nine daughters, Nika (Tony), Antonette aka (Shawn), Toiya, Tawanna, Erica, Darah (Edwin), Niasia (Josh), Deja’Nae, and Sheimeka; five sons, William  V, Robert, Byron, Joshua, and Jashiah; two step-sons, Tyrese and Lawrence (Papa); 40 grandchildren, 22 great-grandchildren; four sisters, Genevieve, Carolyn, Deborah (Sonny), Sheila Johnson-Davenport; three sisters-in-law, Dasha, Sherrie, and Dovona; three brothers-in-law, Charles, David, and Christopher; one god daughter, Natalie; a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and close friends. Ruler had a deep love for his dogs, Denali, Egypt, and China. He touched many lives and really enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren.

He will surely be missed by all.

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