William C Bill Knighton , December 31, 1929 — June 13, 2018

William C. (Bill) Knighton of Longview, Texas, went to be with the Lord on June 13, 2018. A memorial service will be held at the Hideaway Community Church in Hideaway, Texas, on Sunday, June 17, 2018, at 4:00 PM. Interment will be at a later date in Canyon, Texas.

Born at home on December 31, 1929, in Canyon, Texas, to Thomas H. Knighton and Grace Cavness Knighton, he died at home in Longview. Bill attended West Texas State College Demonstration School and graduated from high school in 1946. He was a graduate of Wayland Baptist University where he played basketball and ran track.

It was at Wayland where Bill met Bettye Sharpley whom he married in 1949. Their home was established in Canyon where they raised a family of three children. The Knighton family lived in Canyon until 1967 when they moved to Miami, Florida, then Longview, Texas and Hideaway, Texas, and ultimately back to Longview at Buckner Westminster Place.

Mr. Knighton began his working career while a teenager as a soda jerk at the Buffalo Drug in Canyon, his parents’ business. As an adult he was employed as a Travelers insurance adjuster for 35 years before retiring. Bill was well known as a tenor soloist and always sang in church choirs.

He was also an avid golfer and enjoyed fly fishing in the mountains of Colorado. Bill loved participating in these activities with the people he loved, finding joy in fun, practical jokes that drew family and friends close to himPreceded in death by his parents and his brother, Thomas E. Knighton, survivors include his wife, Bettye Knighton, of Longview, Genie McCause and husband, Doug, of Amarillo, Neal Knighton and wife, Jayne, of Garland, and Kathy Trent and husband, Bob, of Longview. In addition, he is survived by seven grandchildren: Mona Trent, Thomas McCause, Sam McCause, Joe Trent, Britt Knighton, Andy Trent, and Kyle Knighton, along with 5 great grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials to one of the following charities: Buckner Children and Family Services, 700 N. Pearl St., Suite 1200, Dallas, TX, 75201 Wesley McCabe Methodist Church, 1115 S. Mobberly Ave.

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