John William Knight

Mr. John Knight, age 92 of Winnsboro, passed away on Saturday, August 13th, 2016 in Winnsboro. He was born on October 25th, 1923 in Jacksonville, TX, to the late Grover Knight and Vada Parks Knight. He married the former Mona Kay Turner on June 21, 1947, and she preceded him in death on October 24, 2006. Mr. Knight was also preceded in death by his parents; brother, Grover Earl "Honk" Knight of Gladewater, and sister, Dorothy Lou Williams of Johnson City, TN.

These notes are written by Mr. John William Knight himself about his service during WWII. "In WWII I was a radio operator on a B-17 heavy bomber plane. We had 10 men crews consisting of pilot, co-pilot, navigator, bomber, radio-op, engineer, 2-waste gunners, 1-tail gunner, and 1-ball turret belly gunner. We were shot down over Cologne Germany in August of 1944. All crew members where killed except for me. I was taken a prisoner of war and kept in various P.O.W. Camps in Poland and Germany. We were fed poorly. The first camp was the best of the three that I was in. It was in Poland and very cold. Our food consisted of a cup of soy beans or grass soup, with once a day getting two slices of black rye bread. The next two camps were unbearable. We almost starved to death. From December 25 until April 29, 1945, we never had a bath but did get our faces and heads shaved. We were liberated by Gen. Patton's army on the 29th day of April, 1945. Was glad to get home about three weeks later and thank God I was still alive".

Mr. Knight retired after 35 years from Brown and Root Construction Company. He was a Piping Superintendent, and through the years of working in many places he made many lifelong friendships. He enjoyed working on his farm and fishing. His greatest joy was the grandchildren. He would always make his rounds on Christmas morning to see what Santa had brought. He, being a child of the Depression Era, often would have a tear in his eye as he watched the children play with their new toys.

He is survived by, sons, Mark Knight and wife Betty Ann of Winnsboro, Bart Knight and wife Kelly of Winnsboro; daughters, Leslie Caviness and husband Ralph of Chandler, Cindy Tinney and husband Roger of Winnsboro, and Mitzi Moss and husband Sammy of Winnsboro; thirteen grandchildren, twenty-two great-grandchildren, and one great great-grandchild.

Visitation will be held on Monday, August 15th, 2016 from 10:00 am to 11:00 am at Beaty Funeral Home-Winnsboro 816 W. Broadway Winnsboro, TX 75494. Graveside Services will follow at Lee Cemetery Highway 37 S. Winnsboro, TX 75494 at 11:00 am, with Bro Greg Zachary officiating. Pallbearers will be, Stan Knight, Lance Tinney, Chance Tinney, Josh Moss, Cobey Knight, and Austin Turner.