KNOWLES

HOLTON- Willard Robb Knowles, 84, of Holton, KS died Wednesday, February 13, 2008 at the Holton Hospital. He was born October 19, 1923 in Denison, KS, the son of Raymond and Eleanor Robb Knowles. He graduated from Denison High School in 1941. He served as a flight engineer in the Air Force during WWII. He serviced B-17, B-24 and B-25 Bombers, some of which he had helped build at North American in Kansas City before enlisting in the service.
Willard attended Washburn University and later graduated from Kansas State University with a degree in Agronomy. He was Soil Conservationist in Mankato, KS for 10 years before transferring to Colby, KS where he was head of the Soil Conservation Service for 20 years before retiring.
He was married to Frances Taylor of Colby on December 22, 1962 at the First United Methodist Church in Holton. They were active members of the church and various civic organizations. She preceded him in death in 2006. His sister, Annetta Knowles, preceded him in death in 2000. He is survived by his sister, Dorothy Porter of Holton, KS; his sister-in-law, Virginia Yocum of Cameron, MO and his niece, Linda Skaggs and her husband, Mike of Olathe, KS.
Services will be 2:00 p.m. Monday, February 18, 2008 at the Mercer Funeral Home in Holton. Interment will be in Holton Cemetery. He will lie in state at the funeral home until the service on Monday. Memorials may be given to the Beck-Bookman Library c/o Mercer Funeral Home, Box 270, Holton, KS 66436.