Wilford ‘Spike’ Murray Knapp

By Staff
December 18, 2009
A memorial service for Wilford “Spike” Murray Knapp, 81, of Hartselle and Harpursville, N.Y. was held Monday, Dec. 21, at Harpursville Baptist Church with the Rev. Gerald Boock officiating.
A military burial will be held in Ouleout Valley Cemetery in Franklin, N.Y., in the spring.
Mr. Knapp died Friday, Dec. 18, 2009, at Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital after a long illness. He was born Jan. 12, 1928, to Raymond and Millie Fagan Knapp in Franklin, N.Y. He was a member of Hartselle First Assembly of God and Greene Assembly of God Churches, a retired employee of D&H Railroad after 37 years and a Navy veteran of World War II. He dedicated the past 35 years doing God’s work in serving others and had the nickname “Praise the Lord” Knapp. He is preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Edwin, Raymond, Franklin and infant twins; and sisters, Kathryn, Agnes, Harriet, Gladys and Lucy.
He is survived by his wife of 58 years, Violet Burns Knapp of Hartselle; five children and families, Michael and Ruth Knapp of Harpursville, Kaye Blankenship of Hartselle, Ellen Jones, Afton, Judy and Denny Rowe Sr. of Harpursville and Douglas and Kim Knapp of Utah; 14 grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; a brother, Oren “Doc” Knapp and wife Ethel of Oneonta; a sister, Mary Ann McNulty and husband Jim of Fla.; and several nieces, nephews and cousins.
Mr. Knapp had a deep compassion for the young men and women serving our country. Memorial contributions may be made to the Disabled American Veterans, POB 14301, Cincinnati, OH 45250 (www.dav.org).