William R. "Billy" Knight, III

Click Here to Download a free funeral planning guide.

Celebrating the life of
William R. "Billy" Knight, IIIAugust 09, 1936 - March 17, 2015

Savannah- Billy Knight, 78, passed away Tuesday, March 17, 2015 at home surrounded by his family and under the care of Spanish Oaks Hospice. He was born in Savannah, GA, the son of the late William Reid Knight, Jr. and Marian Knight Thompson and step-father, Weldon (PeeWee) Thompson. He graduated from Benedictine Military School in 1955 and Chaminade University in Honolulu, Hawaii. While at BC he was an outstanding athlete and he received the Outstanding Athlete Award for BC (Wall of Fame) for playing basketball at Armstrong College. He met the love of his life, Ann Burkhalter Knight at Armstrong. They would have been married 56 years in April. Billy joined the Coast Guard in 1958. He spent his happiest days traveling with his family. His favorite tours of duty were San Francisco, CA and Honolulu, HI. He was instrumental in putting out Red Adair Oil Rig Fire while executive officer of the Coast Guard Cutter, “Dependable”. He retired from the Coast Guard in 1978 as Commander of Coast Guard Base Charleston, SC. Receiving district Military Service Award. After retiring he graduated from John Marshall Law School in 1981 and later started a Ship Chandler Business and Billy Knight Insurance Company.

He was past member of the Quarterback Club and BC Survivors Club, the Knights of Columbus, 4^th Degree, and the Irish Heritage Society. He joined the St. Patrick’s Day Parade Committee in 1978 and was a member of the Adjutant Staff. He loved working in the parade and was very active until he totally lost his eye sight in 2001. He was a Communicant of St. Peter the Apostle Catholic Church. But his greatest joy in life was spending time with his family and friends.

He is survived by his wife, Ann; his brother, Larry Thompson; brother-in-law, Bill Burkhalter of Canton, GA, and late sister, Shirley Dorsey. His four beloved children, William Knight, IV (Bill), Kimberly Dotson Keyser, Christopher Knight, Susan Bennett; four grandchildren, Denny Dotson, Kate Knight, Reid Bennett, Olivia Knight, and several nieces and nephews.

The family will receive friends from 4:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. on Friday, March, 20, 2015 with a Rosary Service at 4:30 at St. Peter the Apostle Catholic Church.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, March, 21, 2015 at St. Peter the Apostle Catholic Church with Msgr. P. James Costigan, Celebrant. Burial will follow at Forest Lawn Memory Gardens.

Honorary pallbearers are the members of BC, Class of 1955, his best friend, Charlie Moore and Godfather, Jimmy Curry. Active pallbearers will be Bill Dorsey, Sr., Ross Thompson, Gary Dorsey, Sr., Keith Burkhalter and Derrick Burkhalter, and his two grandsons.

The family would like to give special thanks to the caregivers at Spanish Oaks Hospice, especially Diane Hall, Kandi Lanier, and Colby Aimar.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Spanish Oaks Hospice, 8510 Whitfield Ave., Savannah, GA 31406.

SHARE YOUR CONDOLENCES

Submissions protected by Kanshi.

GUEST BOOK

My thoughts and prayers are with all of you during this sad time. Mr. Knight was a wonderful man and I will always have fond memories of him and your family. With sympathy and love, Laurie

- Laurie Beeson Hester, Monroe, Ga

Ann, I was saddened to read about Billy in the news today. It has been a very long time since our Armstrong days. You would come out to see my Mother and I and you had just met and fallen in love with your love, Billy. You would talk with Mother about marriage, etc. I am glad you both had a long and wonderful life together. I moved from Savannah in 1978, same year you two returned and I have just returned to area. You are in my prayers and thoughts. Loved you then and now. Barbara

- Barbara Lamb Myrick, Savannah, GA

I became a close friend of Billy's at BC. Although distance has kept us apart for many years I have fond memories of our friendship. Condolences to all of Billy's family and friends. A gift in Billy's name will be sent to Spanish Oaks Hospice.

- Quillie H Polk, Omaha, , NE

Susan my prayers and thoughts are with you and your family.

- Kimberly Young, Guyton, GA

May God grant you eternal rest Billy and hold you in the hollow of his hand.

- Edward C. Ragan, II, Peachtree City, GA

Ms Ann, my heartfelt sympathy goes out to you and the family. Billy was such a wonderful man that will be missed for a long time. I wish I could see you tomorrow, but I am out of state. Please know that my heart will be there even if my body can't be.

- Gwin Baker, Richmond Hill, Ga

Ann our prayers are with you and family

- Cindy & Richard Byrd, Savannah,Ga, Ga

To: The Knight Family. I am sorry for your lost.May your love for William and the loving memories he shared with you. May they bring you comfort and strength to endure the days ahead.

- R.Gaines, Warrensville , Ohio

To Mrs Knight, CK, little Billy, Kim, Susan and all the family I send condolences. My heart and prayers go out to each one of you. Find comfort in family and friends, remember, and share your love with one another. God Bless.

- Brian Watson, Savannah, GA

Larry, I am so sorry for yours and Ann's loss. I know how special he was to all of you. Remember all the good times and the love that all of you had for one another. It will make the pain a little easier to bear. Love ya, Pug

- Pug Chase, Savannah, GA

Ann and family, so sorry to see that Billy had passed away but we all know that he is in a better place. Will keep all of you in my prayers. God bless.

- Bob White, Greensboro, Ga

My sincerest sympathies go out to the family of one of my best friends in high school. Billy was a tremendous person

- Ralph Fleming, Layton, Utah

Our heartfelt condolences to all of the family. Our thoughts and prayers are with you. May you find strength and peace in this time of need.

- Quintin, Joan and Emma Cowart, Savannah, GA

Larry, our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.

- Fields, Savannah, GA

Cherish the memories. Hold on to hope. Rest when you're weary. Take time to grieve. Let your heart mend. Thinking of all of you. Much love and prayers. Trisha

- Trisha Lutz-Morris, Savannah, ga

Ann and family, May the Lord's peace be with you. Billy is with his Lord. You are in our thoughts and prayers. Dave and Jo Anne Carey, Mobile ,Al

- Carey, Mobile , Al

Dear Ann and Family, We were so sorry to get the call yesterday about Billy's passing.It has been a long,hard struggle for him,you and the family.He is at peace,well prepared and pain free.We,with many others,will miss him and he will never be forgotten.Try to remember all the happy times and take good care of yourself.You will be in our thoughts and prayers.

- Judy and Tom Mahoney, Savannah, Georgia

We want all of you to know how very sorry we are to hear of Billy's passing. He was a wonderful man and he will be greatly missed. I wished I had only had the chance to have known him longer. Please know that we won't be able to be there for his services, but our thoughts and prayers will be with each of you throughout this sorrowful time. Take Care and God Bless.

- Sharon, Hunter & Logan Cox, Church Hill, TN

We'll be there and we'll share our thoughts with you then.

- Betty & Toby Chapeau, Athens, GA