William R. Knapp Jr.

William Robert Knapp Jr, born December 9, 1938, went to be with the Lord on January 5, 2023, at the age of 84 years. At a very young age, Bill was the only child adopted by his parents, William Robert Knapp Sr. and Annie Knapp. He was raised in Miami, Florida, attending Miami Jackson High School, where he made the Tennis and Bowling Teams. He graduated in 1956.

Bill was a cadet at the United States Air Force Academy, later earning his BS in Aeronautical Engineering from Embry Riddle Aeronautical University. Early in his career he worked as an engineer for Douglas Aircraft in California. He always had a love for airplanes. Moving back to Birmingham in the early 70’s he owned a children’s daycare, obtained his real estate license, worked for Southern Company Services, owned his own carpet cleaning business and was known for his excitement of a good MLM business. Bill had an entrepreneur spirit that led to many adventures and many good friends through his life.

Bill always had a joke to tell, sometimes he got the punchline right, sometimes not.(Ha!) He loved to talk and He loved to tell a joke. Bill never met a stranger, he was up for any adventure and he was upbeat with everyone he knew or encountered. Bill had many hobbies, his favorites being tennis, softball, and bowling. He started bowling in high school where he was recognized as a leading bowler. He set a new school record and bowled a score of 222 his senior year. He did not bowl as much while working and raising his family, however for the last 30 years he remained an avid bowler. He was very proud of the fact that he had bowled 299 on two different occasions!! He continued to bowl even during the last several weeks of his life.

Bill became a follower of Jesus as a young adult and was an avid evangelist his entire life. Bill’s desire was that everyone he encountered would have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and be saved. Over the years, he was a faithful servant of the Lord and an active member in church. He held many different positions in the churches which he faithfully attended. In the early years, he was a member of Grace Bible Church in Centerpoint. In 1980 Bill found his home church, East Lake Alliance Church (later known as Brewster Road Alliance Church) where he remained a member through the life of the church. Over the span of 38 years, Bill served as church treasurer, board member, and elder. Bill then was a member of Grace Community Church at Deerfoot, for the remainder of his life.

He is survived by his children: William “Bill” Robert (Raquel) Knapp III, Kristie(John) Lawrence, David Knapp, and Shane (Amanda) Knapp; his grandchildren Emma Knapp, Billy Knapp, Ian Knapp, Melissa (Peyton) Harding, Stephen (Savanna) Lawrence, and Juju Lawrence; Beck Knapp, Tate Knapp, and his great-grandson Elijah Lawrence. He was preceded in death by his father, William Robert Knapp Sr, and mother, Annie Bane Knapp.

Visitation will be held Monday, January 16 at 2:00 pm followed by a memorial service at 3:00 pm in the chapel at First Baptist Church Trussville, AL.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.ridoutstrussvillechapel.com for the Knapp family.