William Paul Knapp's Obituary
William “Bill” Paul Knapp, 95 was born to Ernest and Magdalena “Lena” Knapp on March 2, 1931 in Platteville, WI. The youngest of five siblings (Nelson, Don, Merv, and Helen), Mr. Knapp graduated from Platteville High School in 1949, where he played trombone in the band for 4 years and earned his Eagle Scout rank. He continued his service to others by joining the United States Navy in 1951 and served as a yeoman and radarman until 1955.
During this time, Mr. Knapp met the love of his life, Francis Bernadine “Bernie” Joyce. They married in 1954 and starting their family in Lakeside, CA. Together they had six children: Mary “Michelle” (Chuck) Hundley, Marguerite “Margo” Rose (Greg) Taylor, Kevin Gerard (Connie) Knapp, SaBina Helen (Tim) Mello, Monica Joyce (Doug) Clark, and Kathryn “Kathy” Ellyn (John) Gerstenberg. Their 50th wedding anniversary was celebrated in November of 2004 with a renewal of their vows at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church and a joyful family reunion in Lakeside, CA.
As a newlywed, Mr. Knapp returned to his studies, pursuing a Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education and graduating from the University of Wisconsin, Platteville in 1958. Thus began his 33-year career in Elementary Education: he taught 6th grade at Kate Sessions and Forward Elementary and 3rd and 4th grades at Gage Elementary. He also led 6th grade summer camps in Cuyamaca, engaging students in hiking, woodworking and making sand candles. He went on to earn his Master of Arts in Education in 1974 from the University of La Verne, while teaching
and raising his family (a testament to his hard work and dedication). His impact as a teacher was celebrated decades after his retirement in 1991: he was often visited on his birthday by former students, one of which (Celeste) affectionately dubbed him the nickname “Gentle Giant.” Mr. Knapp was recognized on a local news station for his remarkable teaching career. His legacy lives on in the thousands of lives he touched as a beloved educator.
Mr. Knapp also built a second career as a house painter. What started as part-time during summers, weekends, and holidays while teaching 6th grade became a full-time endeavor after retirement. He earned his contractor’s license, eventually assembling a crew of about 10 employees. Bernie and his kids were very involved and learned to paint. He also became a grandfather as the business evolved and several of his grandkids spent their summers learning how to paint and helping “Grandma and Grandpa” with their painting business. Some of his grandkids even helped paint the OLPH Church parish building in the early 2000s. It’s estimated that Mr. Knapp and his crew painted over 1000 homes and businesses in the greater San Diego area. This gave many people the invaluable opportunity to interact with and be mentored by him: he not only taught proper painting techniques and strategy, but also how to treat customers with dignity and respect. He retired from painting in 2010 to support and care for his beloved wife, Bernie.
Bill Knapp was a devout Catholic. A pillar of the San Diego and Lakeside Catholic communities for 67 years, he led by example his Catholic faith of love, service and charity at St. Columba (1958-1967) and Our Lady of Perpetual Help (1967-2026) parishes as a CCD teacher, CYO advisor, a Eucharistic Minister, and Lector. He was active in the Knights of Columbus, Men’s Club, and Finance Committees. Especially notable were Mr. Knapp’s many contributions to his Church’s social activities: as a person who prioritized cultivating meaningful time with loved ones, Mr. Knapp headed his parish’s Bingo gatherings, organized the annual Bazaar, and brought his family on many memorable CFM campouts.
A family man through-and-through, Mr. Knapp loved sharing adventures with his wife and kids. He and Bernie traveled the world together, exploring Ireland, Mexico, Alaska, the Mediterranean, Germany, France, Greece, and the Holy Land. They also took many road trips with their six kids piled into the blue station wagon to visit the extended family in Mitchell, SD and Platteville, WI. Bill and Bernie shared their love of camping and hiking with their kids too, notably to explore Cuyamaca, Yosemite, and the Sierras.
Mr. Knapp’s loving, humble, and joyous spirit lives on in his 6 kids, 18 grandkids, and 38 great-grandkids. Each of these individuals contributes to their communities in their own special ways–whether that be teaching, working in the medical field, engineering new wonders, traveling the world, or raising a family–thus carrying on his spirit.
Funeral services will be held at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church in Lakeside, CA on Wednesday, July 1, 2026, with Rosary at 10:30 a.m. and Mass at 11a.m.
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