William (Bill) Leonard Knapp Sr., 88, of Roeland Park, Kansas, died peacefully with his daughters Lucy and Clara at his side on January 1, 2015.

Bill was born in Kansas City, Missouri, on March 12, 1926. He joined the Merchant Marines on December 7, 1943 and served honorably until the end of World War II. He remained a proud veteran until the end of his life. After discharge he completed high school at Christian Brothers High School in St Joseph Missouri and graduated in 1947. Upon graduation, Bill went to work for the main branch of the United States Post Office in Kansas City, MO. He worked there for 37 years receiving several commendations for his outstanding service and contributions. He took a second job as his family grew and worked for over 20 years at Rival Manufacturing Company.

He married Ludwina Barth on September 10, 1949, in St Rose, Illinois. They had eight children together. Bill often said that his greatest accomplishment was his family. He was a devoted husband and proud father who never missed an opportunity to celebrate the achievements of his children.

Bill will be remembered for his kindness, patience, generosity, tireless work ethic and strong faith in God. He lived an adventurous and full life, was a great story teller and added joyful enthusiasm to any gathering of family or friends. He liked collecting sets of quarters of American states and territories to give to family and friends, watching John Wayne movies and buying Lamar's doughnuts on Sunday mornings.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Lu, his son William Leonard Knapp Jr. (Nancy Knapp), his parents Elizabeth and Charles Knapp Sr. and his siblings Margaret Lynch, Julia Spear, Elizabeth Schulte, Charles Knapp Jr and Francis Knapp. Bill is survived by his children Jane Knapp, Mary Harris (Michael Harris), James Knapp (Laura Knapp), Lucy Clifton (Michael Clifton), Clara Knapp (Stephen Thompson), Benedict Knapp and Thomas Knapp (Juan Resto); grandchildren Andrew Harris, Margaret Godwin, Elizabeth Osborn, William Harris, Monica Thompson, Cecilia D'Agostino, Michael Knapp, Daniel Knapp, Joseph Clifton, Sarah Clifton, David Thompson, Amy Thompson, James Knapp, David Knapp, Charles Knapp, and Thomas Knapp; great grandchildren Noah Harris, Luke Harris, Daniel Harris, M. Eloise Godwin, Austin Osborn, Taylor Osborn and Jackson Harris.

The family would like to thank the caregivers at Care Haven Homes for their respectful, patient and loving care of Bill over the last four years of his life.

Visitation and Funeral Service

Visitation will be from 6:00-8:00 p.m., Thursday, January 8, 2015, where a Rosary will be recited at 7:30 p.m. The funeral will be at 10:00 a.m., Friday, January 9th at 10:00 a.m. at Good Shepherd Catholic Church, 12800 West 75th Street, Shawnee, KS. There will be visitation at the church from 9:00 to 10:00 prior to the funeral. Bill will be buried beside his wife, Lu, at Mt Olivet Cemetery in Kansas City, Missouri.

Memorial Contributions

In lieu of flowers, the family requests contributions to the William Leonard Knapp Jr Scholarship Fund to Promote the Practice of Rural Dentistry at the UMKC School of Dentistry, 650 East 25th Street, Kansas City, Mo 64108.