1916
William
2006
William Knowles
June 6, 1916 — December 1, 2006
William "Bill" Knowles was born on June 6, 1916, to parents, William and Annie (Mill) Knowles in Edinburgh Scotland. In Scotland it is customary to take a clan name and Bill choose to adopt the MacFarlane Clan as his own. As a young boy, he attended school in Edinburgh until he was old enough to find work for himself. His later education consisted of Correspondence Classes, Night Schools, and various Technical schools.
After World War II, bill left Scotland to seek his fortune. He found work and made friends in a succession of Commonwealth countries before finally reaching Anaheim, CA, in 1959. Bill's trade was in Tool and Die work, and he worked in factories from Anaheim, CA, to Salt Lake City, UT, Chicago, IL, Golden Valley, MN, and Toronto, Canada.
Bill met Dorothy Petrick during a trip she took to California. The couple was later married on September 7, 1962, in Appleton, MN. Following his retirement and the passing of his wife, Bill moved to Ortonville, MN.
In his spare time, Bill enjoyed painting in water colors, sketching, and photography. He even displayed some of his work on the Ortonville Art Crawl. Bill loved music and enjoyed sitting down to play the piano as well as the violin and accordion. Being so involved in art and music, Bill was honored to be a member of the Big Stone Arts Council and he was also a member of the Friends of the Ortonville Public Library. Bill was a member of many Scottish social organizations and also had joined the Masons as a young man in Scotland.
Bill loved his family and friends and treasured the many memories made on trips back to Scotland to visit his family. He also enjoyed corresponding with the friends he made during his travels throughout his life making sure to always send letters around Christmas time. He will be truly missed by those that loved him and called him friend.
William passed away Friday, December 1, 2006 at the Northridge Residence in Ortonville, MN, reaching the age of 90 years. He is preceded in death by his parents, William and Annie; wife, Dorothy, and two sisters, Mina Knowles and Grace Muirhead.
Bill is survived by his brother, Tom Knowles; sisters, Annie Palmer of Nottingham, England; Margaret Knowles of Edinburgh, Scotland; and Mary Kvatsheim of Eggerson, Norway; eight nieces and nephews, a special friend, Donna Leiferman, as well as many other extended family and friends.
After World War II, bill left Scotland to seek his fortune. He found work and made friends in a succession of Commonwealth countries before finally reaching Anaheim, CA, in 1959. Bill's trade was in Tool and Die work, and he worked in factories from Anaheim, CA, to Salt Lake City, UT, Chicago, IL, Golden Valley, MN, and Toronto, Canada.
Bill met Dorothy Petrick during a trip she took to California. The couple was later married on September 7, 1962, in Appleton, MN. Following his retirement and the passing of his wife, Bill moved to Ortonville, MN.
In his spare time, Bill enjoyed painting in water colors, sketching, and photography. He even displayed some of his work on the Ortonville Art Crawl. Bill loved music and enjoyed sitting down to play the piano as well as the violin and accordion. Being so involved in art and music, Bill was honored to be a member of the Big Stone Arts Council and he was also a member of the Friends of the Ortonville Public Library. Bill was a member of many Scottish social organizations and also had joined the Masons as a young man in Scotland.
Bill loved his family and friends and treasured the many memories made on trips back to Scotland to visit his family. He also enjoyed corresponding with the friends he made during his travels throughout his life making sure to always send letters around Christmas time. He will be truly missed by those that loved him and called him friend.
William passed away Friday, December 1, 2006 at the Northridge Residence in Ortonville, MN, reaching the age of 90 years. He is preceded in death by his parents, William and Annie; wife, Dorothy, and two sisters, Mina Knowles and Grace Muirhead.
Bill is survived by his brother, Tom Knowles; sisters, Annie Palmer of Nottingham, England; Margaret Knowles of Edinburgh, Scotland; and Mary Kvatsheim of Eggerson, Norway; eight nieces and nephews, a special friend, Donna Leiferman, as well as many other extended family and friends.