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BORN
1930
DIED
1950
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William Knight Obituary
Brookfield - CPL William "Billy" Knight, born in West Brookfield on March 30, 1930, will finally be laid to rest more than 60 years after being killed in action. Billy passed away on December 6, 1950 while fighting in the Korean War but his body was not recovered until the 2002 excavation of an unmarked grave on the eastern side of the Chosin Reservoir in North Korea. After many years, DNA analysis and skeletal remains confirmed that the body was in fact that of Billy Knight and he began his long trip home to Massachusetts.
Billy spent his childhood in the Brookfield's before he enlisted in the United States Army in 1949 and set sail on the USNS Aiken Victory on August 24, 1950. He left behind his parents Robert L. Knight Sr. and Evelyn L. Putnam, brothers Robert L. Knight Jr. and Charles E. Knight, and sister Shirley L. (Knight) Abbott. His mother Evelyn, passed away on what would have been Billy's 50th birthday, March 30, 1980. His father, Robert, passed away in 1995 never knowing exactly what happened to his son Billy.
A Funeral Service for Billy will be held Friday, May 10, 2013 at 10:00 AM in the Varnum Funeral Home, Inc., 43 East Main St., West Brookfield with a calling hour prior to the service from 9 to 10 AM in the funeral home. Following the service there will be a procession to the Brookfield Common where the Adam-Coney-Frew American Legion Post 244 and dignitaries will pay their respects to CPL Knight. Billy will then be laid to rest at Pine Grove Cemetery in Oakham with full Military Honors alongside his beloved parents.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for William Knight
Mary Seferi
April 30, 2024
Always remember that gratitude is the attitude. Keep going to this precious place and keep being positive in our journey
ED & DIANE TAKORIAN
May 13, 2013
TO THE KNIGHT FAMILY,HAPPY THAT BILL IS HOME WITH HIS FAMILY.
May 10, 2013
Thank you for your service to our country.Your sacrifice will be remembered by all Korean veterans.RIP
James P. Courville
Bev & Steve Joyce
May 8, 2013
Thank You William ( Billy ) Knight for your service and sacrifice, you will not be forgotten. God Bless and Welcome Home.
Kevin Macomber
May 8, 2013
Rest in peace my friend. Your sacrifice will not be forgotten.
Kevin Macomber
Chair, Massachusetts Fallen Soldiers
Ryan
May 8, 2013
Thank you.
Carolyn Demore
May 8, 2013
Welcome home CPL William C. Knight. Thank you for serving our country and protecting our freedoms. Your sacrifice should never be forgotten. My Thoughts and Prayers go out to Bob, Charlie, Shirley, Leslie and all family and friends during this very emotional time.
Mary Seferi
May 7, 2013
Thank you Billy for sacrificing your life for us. Heaven is where you are, in peace and harmony with our Lord. Mary(Knight)Seferi
Fran
May 7, 2013
Welcome home CPL Knight, may you finally have the peace you so truly deserve. (Some gave all,all gave some).
RIP
P. J. Nes
May 7, 2013
Welcome home,your sacrifice should never be forgotten. Freedom is not free!
S. S.
May 7, 2013
Thankyou for serving our country!!! May you rest in Peace,with all of your loved ones that have passed,especially your mother who worried about you,right until the day she passed away. May God be with you and all of your family!!!
May 7, 2013
Welcome Home Sir. Rest in peace.
Catherine
May 7, 2013
Thank You for serving "Our Country"
Allyn/Myrna Mathieson
May 7, 2013
Bob we hope that You and your Sister will finally find Peace in the fact that your Brother is finally back on American soil and will be with his Loved ones once again for the final Enternal Peace he proudly deserves. Wish we could be there with you. Our Thoughts and Prayers are with you.
Mike Sweet
May 6, 2013
Thank You Sir for your service to our Country and the Ultimate Sacrafice that you made for Her. May You and Your Family Continue to Rest in Peace with The Lord.
May 6, 2013
God be with you.
May 6, 2013
Rest in peace with your parents in Heaven.
May 6, 2013
God Bless you Billy Knight, Thank you for your service to your country and Welcome Home. Rest in Peace.
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Funeral services provided by:
Varnum Funeral Home43 East Main St. PO Box 1, West Brookfield, MA 01585
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