Obituaries

William H. Knapp

William H. Knapp, 89, of Metamora passed away at 6:50 a.m. Thursday, June 3, 2010 at Snyder Village in Metamora. He was born on October 19, 1920 in Logan, Ohio, the son of William and Margaret Kitsmiller Knapp. He married Alice Carpenter on Aug 3, 1944 in Athens, Ohio. She passed away on Aug 15, 2006 in Metamora. Surviving is one daughter Carol Pitcher of Peoria, as well as two grandsons Adam Pitcher and his significant other Karen Renski and Josh (Patti) Pitcher, all of Peoria and one great granddaughter Gillian. Bill was an honorably discharged U.S. Army Veteran serving in WWII. In the late thirties he formed "Knapp's Knights of Swing", a dance band that played for dances throughout southern Ohio, earning money for college tuition. He attended Ohio University in Athens, Ohio where he received his degree in education in 1946 and his Master's degree in music education in 1958. He taught instrumental music and was the band director at school systems in Ohio (Bucyrus, Chillicothe, and Amsterdam). He then became the band director at Northern Illinois University in DeKalb retiring in 1969. He then was employed by the Glenbard school system in Glen Ellyn as the Fine Arts Director retiring in 1972. In 1972 Bill and his wife Alice moved to Rogers, Ark. where they enjoyed over 30 years of retirement before moving to central Illinois. He loved to garden and repaired musical instruments for over 50 years, including the repair of Bill Clinton's saxophone to play for the Inaugural Ball. Bill was an avid bowler and won the Illinois State singles bowling championship in 1967. Cremation Rites have been accorded and private services will be held. Memorials may be given in his name to Snyder Village. Mason funeral Home Metamora Chapel is in charge of arrangements. To send online condolences please visit www.masonfuneralhomes.com.

Published June 5, 2010

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