William H. (Herb) Knight, 95, passed away April 4, 2020, at home after a lingering illness.

The second son of Nellie L. Levine Knight and Ira E. Knight, Herb was born near Conway, MO, on the family farm. He attended Shady Grove Primary School and graduated from Conway High School in 1941. He worked on the farm until drafted into the U.S. Army during World War II and served in the Pacific Ocean Theater . After the war, he returned home and attended Draughon Business College and Drury University.

On November 18, 1950, Herb was united in marriage to Norma Faye Day. This year would have marked their 70 years of marriage. As newlyweds, they moved from Lebanon to Springfield, where they have made their home ever since. Herb spent the majority of his career working as a heating and air conditioning engineer for Ozark York Heating and Air Conditioning and for Harry Cooper Supply Company.

His lifelong fellowship with Central Christian Church included serving as President and Treasurer of his Sunday School Class, Usher, and as Treasurer of the Monday morning Mens' Coffee Group.

A Mason for over 50 years, Herb was a member of the Solomon Lodge and achieved a 32 ^nd degree in Masonry in the Valley of Joplin. He received his 50-year Masonry pin in 2011.

An avid outdoorsman, nothing excited Herb more than hunting quail with his masterful English setters Lady and Ginger or watching a beautiful trout leap from a stream. His passion for fishing led him to serve as president of the Missouri Trout Fishermen's Association, and he founded the local Springfield Chapter. He spent many hours tying his own fishing flies, which are truly works of art, and fishing at his favorite spot, Bennett Springs State Park.

Herb was a skillful woodworker and workshop creator; he could make or fix almost anything. And he amassed a world class collection of model trains, mostly antiques, the real thing, and built an amazing huge miniature "village" for those various trains to run around and through his invented "town." His wife Norma often wondered if the trains might eventually take over the living room. But Herb kindly confined that incursion to the once-a-year train that circled the annual Christmas tree.

He was a frequent and unpaid volunteer aide to wife Norma's countless grade school classes full of children in the Springfield School System—helping Norma provide creative materials and such that helped stretch those always-too-small schoolteacher supply budgets.

Most of all Herb was a wonderful, kind and generous person. He was constantly willing and skillfully able to help his loved ones, neighbors and friends. He was funny, witty, and fine company to one and all.

Herb was preceded in death by his parents, brother Roy Knight and sister Margaret L. Spencer.  He is survived by Norma, his beloved wife of 69 years, numerous nephews and nieces, and many friends.

Due to the immediate virus concerns, private services will be held this week at Gorman-Scharpf, and burial will be at Maple Park Cemetery. A celebration of life gathering will subsequently be held when conditions permit.

Memorial contributions may be made to Central Christian Church, 1475 North Washington Avenue, Springfield, MO, 65802, and to Drury University, 900 North Benton Avenue, Springfield MO, 65802.