Skip to content
Col. William "Per" Kender Knight
Jeremy Anderson2021-04-24T13:41:26-05:00
- Name: Col. William "Per" Kender Knight
- Location of Birth: Grand Rapids, Minnesota
- Date of Birth: September 10, 1924
- Date of Death: April 19, 2018
- Parents: James K. Knight & Esther (Hermanson) Knight
- High School and Class: Bigfork High School, Bigfork, Minnesota
- College:
- Highest Rank: COL (Colonel)
- Branch: Air Force
- Other Branch:
- Date Sworn In:
- Place Sworn In:
- Date of Discharge:
- Place of Discharge:
-
- Military Awards:
- Military Highlights:
WW II Draft Registration Cards – 10/16/1940 – 03/31/1947
State: Minnesota
Name: William Kender Knight
Race: White
Age: 18
Birth Date: September 10, 1924
Birth Place: Grand Rapids, Minnesota, USA
Residence Place: Effie, Itasca, Minnesota, USA
Registration Date: December 23, 1942
Employer: James Knight, Route 1, Effie, Minnesota
Weight: 136
Height: 5-9
Complexion: Ruddy
Eye Color: Brown
Hair Color: Brown
Next of Kin: James Knight, Effie, Minnesota
William Knight received his wings in 1943 and flew as a fighter pilot in WW II, proudly followed by an Air Force career of 32 1/2 years. He loved flying and was proud of his pilot and command positions in numerous flying units.
- Wars Involved:
World War II
Korean War
Vietnam
- MIA / POW:
- Civilian Life:
William Knight married Peggy Dunn in 1945 in Arizona. He had a love for the Bigfork River Valley where he grew up, attending the Zaiser school for his elementary school years. He made his home in Texas after retirement. He was a member of St. Marks Episcopal Church in San Marcos, Texas.
Col. Knight died at his home in Southlake, Texas and is buried in the Bigfork Cemetery, Bigfork, Minnesota. He is survived by his wife of 74 years, Peggy; daughter Carol (Kenneth) Haines; son, Capt. (USN ret.) James T. (Kathie) Knight; sisters, Jean (Lew) Brownlow, and Janice (Tom) Evensen; six grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; and many nieces, nephews and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers, Dr. Jere D. Knight and Lt. James T. Knight.
- Tribal Affiliation(s):
Page load link