David Battle

David Debresion Battle, USAF (Retired), was born on July 21, 1960, to the late Moses Battle, Sr. and Bessie Grier, in Ft Gaines, GA.  He departed this earthly life, on October 31, 2024, while on vacation at the Hilton Beach Oceanfront Resort in Daytona Beach, Florida. 

David enlisted in the Air Force on August 15, 1978 immediately after graduating from Speight High School and went on to serve 22 years before retiring March 31, 2001. 

After completing basic training and technical school, he was assigned to Little Rock AFB, Arkansas as a propulsion Technician. In 1983 he was re-assigned to Rhein Main AB, Germany.  It is there that he met and married his first wife, Aurelia Cleo Arrington. It was at his next duty station, Sembach AB, Germany that their children, David and Taylor were born, in 1987 and 1988.  His next greatest achievement during this time was his maintenance support on Army helicopters supporting President Ronald Reagen’s attendance to the June 1987 Economic Summit Meeting with world-wide Heads of State in Rome, Italy and audience with Pope John Paul II in the Vatican City.  Upon their return to the U.S. in 1991, he was assigned to Hurlburt Field, FL, as Turboshaft Engine Supervisor.  In 1997, he became the Rotary Wing Propulsion Manager for the Air Force Special Operations Command, also at Hurlburt Field.  It was during this time that he married his second wife, Cheryl Hale.  In 1999, he retrained into the Ground Safety career field and was assigned to the 56th Fighter wing Safety Office as Superintendent of Safety at Luke AFB, AZ, where he retired from the Air Force.  He then moved to Dallas, TX and began work for an investment company. 

David’s first love was his mother, and when Ms. Bessie became ill, he moved back to Ft Gaines, GA, to lovingly care for her from 2006 – 2007. 

He eventually re-entered government service as a civilian GS-12, Safety Specialist, and single man at Hill AFB, Utah, but his heart was with his mom, children, and family roots in GA, so he applied, and was hired in 2014, as a GS-13 Civil Servant and moved to Warner Robins AFB, GA two days before his mother passed. 

David retired from Civil Service on April 28, 2023, after suffering a medical emergency, later linked to and resulted in a 100% disability rating by the military. 

A well-read man, David loved jazz, art, travel, and helping others, for instance chaperoning kids for the Special Olympics in Berchtesgaden, Germany.  He had penchant for history and constantly amazed Cleo with his ability to quote historical events and dates. 

In addition to his military courses and certifications, David graduated from Columbia Southern University and received a Master of Science in Occupational Safety & Health, Environmental Management on September 15, 2010. 

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brother, Willie Ross (Cassandra).

David leaves to cherish his memories his son, David Austin Battle of Pensacola, FL; daughter, Taylor Janai Battle of Orlando, FL; brother, Moses Bernard Battle (Barbara) of Miami, FL; sister, Kathleen Battle-Cobb (James) of Kingsland, GA; nephews,     Camorris Battle of  Miami, FL, Travis Battle of Miami, FL, Tadedrick Battle of  Hollywood, FL; nieces, Cassandra Battle of Miami, FL, Flavia Baker  of Kingsland, GA, LaTonya Baker of Kingsland, GA, Shelandra Battle  of Hollywood, FL;  he also leaves in fondest of memories to his “favorite cousin”, James Melvin Davenport of Morris, GA, who was more like a brother than a cousin; Marcia Gibson, who more like a sister than a cousin; Rich Burns (Caroline), a former coworker/best friend of Warner Robins, GA; and a host nieces, nephews, cousins and many other family members, and friends.

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