William John Knowlton, age 96, passed away on Friday, June 28th, 2024 at the Yancey House. Born in Fort Wayne, IN and raised in La Grange, IL, he was the son of the late Harry Bass and Jane Jenny Knowlton. He was preceded in death by his wife, Susan Knowlton; a son, Joseph Knowlton; and brother, Harry Knowlton.
William was a US Navy Veteran and proudly served his county as a fighter pilot during the Korean War. He went on to be a captain for American Airlines for 35 years and raised a family in Costa Mesa, CA. He and Susan then moved to Blaine, WA and co-owned and managed Mailboxes International for 14 years. He enjoyed chatting up customers and was appreciated for his quick wit and sense of adventure. In his final years, he enjoyed going crabbing, tending his rose garden, and sitting on the architectural committee for Birch Bay Village in WA. He took honor in being a caregiver for his wife the last six years of her life.
Left to cherish his memory is his daughter, Patricia Olivia Woodford of Burnsville; son, Jim Knowlton and his wife, Rocio Lozano-Knowlton of Ventura, CA; two grandchildren: Diego and Santiago; and brother-in-law, James McLeod of San Jose, CA.
A Celebration of Life service will be held at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, gifts can be made to the Burnsville Community Foundation’s Winter Lighting Project at www.burnsvillecommunityfoundation.org/donate-to-winter-lighting.html.
