On Saturday night, December 11, 2010, William Robert Knight of Waitsfield, Vermont, passed away after a long illness.
Bill was born in Waterford, Ontario, Canada, on August 9, 1930, to
Sylvia Moulding of Sussex, England, and Robert Knight of the Orkney
Islands, Scotland. Bill was raised in Niagara Falls where he apprenticed
and opened his own plumbing and heating business.
In 1961, Bill married Cloe A. Truckenbrodt of North Bay, Ontario,
honeymooning in Vermont before settling in Niagara Falls, Ontario.
The Knights moved to California where Bill worked in sheet metal. While
living in California the Knight’s started a family, a son, Jeffrey, and
daughter, Sally. Shortly after, the Knight’s moved east to Ohio to be
closer to family. They lived in a small town outside Cleveland where the
family took up skiing, learning under the lights. With fond memories of
the Northeast, Bill moved his family to Waitsfield, Vermont, in 1973,
purchasing the Catamount Lodge on Route 100 across from the old fire
station. Bill resided in Waitsfield until his death.
Trained in plumbing and heating and with an entrepreneurial spirit, Bill
enjoyed turning houses. He loved the hands-on aspects of finding a
value in something that was not apparent to most. This joy also made him
fond of exploring arcane shops and yard sales in search of the
one-in-a-hundred item. It is possible Bill and a few other yard sale
enthusiasts are the reason for the “no early birds” addition to many
yard sale ads.
Bill enjoyed history and read much on the subject, surrounding himself
with books. He had a singular sense of humor that he was more than
willing to share.
He is survived by his wife of 49 years, Cloe; his sisters, Kathleen
Lawler and husband Bernie of Kitchener, Ontario, and Iris "Sue" Natoli
and husband Frank of Marco Island, Florida; daughters from a previous
marriage, Karen Kitney of Grimsby, Ontario, and Lori Ford of Niagara
Falls, Ontario, Canada; daughter Sally Utter of Waitsfield, Vermont, and
son Jeff of Waitsfield, Vermont; grandchildren Lauren, Andrew, Cameron,
Meg, Katie, Hannah and Eamon; and great-grandson Joseph. Bill also
leaves behind many beloved nieces and nephews as well as his beloved
poodles “Rocky” and “Daisy.”
A memorial is being planned for spring. In lieu of flowers, the family
asks for donations to be made to the Mad River Valley Ambulance Service,
P.O. Box 305, Waitsfield, VT 05673.
