More detail on this person: William R. Knapp,
Air Force pilot, builder, and devoted family man
died March 10, twelve days before his 84th
birthday. He was forever charming, armed with his
blue eyes, quick grin and strong handshake.
Born in Van Nuys, California to Fred and Irene
Knapp, he grew up surrounded by extended family
and enjoyed hunting, football and riding his
Cushman scooter.
Bill enlisted in the United States Air Force soon
out of high school and was accepted into Officer
Flight School. He flew KC-97 Stratofreighters,
KC-135 Stratotankers. Refueling missions over
Europe for NATO as part of a SAC tactical air
crew, training new pilots stateside and flying
helicopters out of Thailand were highlights of his
20 year career.
While a young pilot, he met and married the love
of his life, Patricia Graham Knapp. The military
stationed him and his young family in California,
Idaho, Nebraska, Texas, France, England, and
Indiana. His specific assignments took him all
over the globe and with top secret security
clearance, several of his missions involved "black
ops" and are now declassified by the military and
the CIA. At the height of the Vietnam War in his
last overseas duty, he was stationed at Nakhon
Phanom in Thailand. He learned to fly a Sikorsky
CH3 helicopter, a military troop transport which
was part of the 21st Special Operations Squadron,
the Dust Devils. He carried troops who dropped
listening devices on the Ho Chi Minh trail and
rescued many under enemy fire. He was awarded
the Distinguished Flying Cross and retired as a
Major after 20 years of service.
Bill then returned to Merced and joined the
construction firm of Graham and Jensen building
many well-known structures in Merced and the
surrounding areas. Subsequently, he worked as a
civil servant in construction at Castle Air Force
Base and as a building inspector for the Merced
County School District.
Bill was very active in the community and in his
church. A child saw him working in the rafters of
the church annex as it was being constructed and
was overheard to say "You know, I think he must be
the smartest, strongest man ever!" He enjoyed
square dancing and was a dedicated docent at the
Castle Air Museum.
If asked, he would say that family was the most
important thing in the world to him. He is
survived by his four children; Elizabeth Toms
(Rob), Kristopher Knapp (Terry), Suzanne Howell
(Don), Kathryn Hill (Andy); eleven grandchildren,
many great grandchildren and sister Shirley Ruatta
- all who will miss him.
He was preceded in death by his sister, Nila
Rasmussen in 2002 and his wife, Patricia in 2006.
He and Patricia were particularly fond of Cambria,
CA where they will be laid to rest together. It is
a joy for family and friends to know they are
joined forever with their Savior, Jesus Christ.
Published in the Modesto Bee from Mar. 25 to Mar.
29, 2017
Burial: Cambria Cemetery, Cambria, San Luis
Obispo County, California, USA
Burial information: Cambria Cemetery, Cambria, CA
This information was last updated 04/16/2017
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Date posted on this site: 04/13/2025
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