William Knowles

William A. Knowles, age 88, of Erie, went to eternal rest on Friday December 25, 2020 at UPMC Hamot.  He was born in Mt. Pleasant, TN on June 5, 1932, the youngest child of the late Mora and Hannah Webster Knowles.

He graduated from high school in Tennessee and enlisted in the Air Force.  He lived in Pittsburgh for 20 years and worked as a parole officer.   He moved to Erie in 1976 and worked as a director/administrator at OIC.    He was very smart and ambitious, leading him to start his own construction business, KJS Inc.

Bill was member of Holy Trinity Church where he served as a Deacon.  He was all about church and being active in his faith.   He enjoyed cooking, and served as a cook in the Air Force.  He followed politics and current events and was a history buff.   He always shared his knowledge with others.  He was a giving person, volunteering at Emmaus Soup Kitchen and Community of Caring.  Most of all he loved his family, especially the grandkids.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his daughter-in-law Victoria Dunn, son-in-law Roman Boykin, his sister Mary Richardson, and his brothers Bennie, Mora Jr., George Lee, and Cyrus Henry Knowles.

He is survived by his wife Mary Hill; four children:  Natasha Knowles, Carlos Hakeem (Randi) Carter, Lenthis Antonio Bonds, and Marie Valentina Bonds Boykin; four grandchildren: Jasmine Bonds, Jessica Carroll, De-Asia Knowles and Len-Asia (Donte) Gee; a sister Dora Cooper of TN; a nephew Stanley (Glenda) Richardson of Oakland, CA; a host of nieces and nephews and many great grandchildren.

Friends are invited to call on the family at Burton Quinn Scott Cremation & Funeral Services Downtown, 602 W. 10^th St. on Wednesday December 30^th from 12pm until the time of a private service at 1pm which will be livestreamed at https://facebook.com/BurtonFuneralHomesAndCrematoryInc for all to view. All CDC guidelines including mask wearing, social distancing and capacity limits will be followed.

Send condolences at www.BurtonQuinnScott.com.