Billy Joe McKnight, 84, of Concordia, MO, passed away Tuesday, November 22, 2022, at Holdenville General Hospital in Holdenville, OK.
Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, November 29, 2022, at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Concordia with Pastor Michael Pottschmidt and Pastor Andrew Lehenbauer officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. Visitation will be from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Monday at Campbell-Lewis Funeral Home in Concordia. Memorials are suggested to family choice and will be used to establish a scholarship fund in Joe’s memory for graduating high school seniors. An online guestbook is available at www.campbell-lewis.com.
Joe was born August 18, 1938, in Galena, MO to Alvis and Flora (Whiteid) McKnight. On August 23, 1958, he married Eva Lee Warren. On September 3, 1976, he married Evelyn Frerking, his best friend of 44 years. Joe and Evelyn McKnight were the proud owners of the True Value hardware store in Concordia for 23 years, but the true value was found in their avid support of community endeavors and numerous charitable contributions. Though he was a fan of Kansas City sports, there was no greater fan to be found in the stands while Joe was supporting and cheering on all his grandchildren and great grandchildren. Joe was a constant family man who carried out many roles in these lives of his loved ones. Outside of being there for his family, he could be found farming and grazing cattle, primarily because it included his Oliver Tractor.
Survivors include one son, Rick McKnight of Warsaw, MO; two daughters, Angela Banks (Scott Bass) of Raymore, MO and Deborah Graham-Lewis ( Wallace Lewis) of Ada, OK; two stepsons, Mark Frerking (Temple) of Highland, MO and Daniel Frerking (Laura) of Concordia, MO; and a stepdaughter, Stephanie Bitiker (Tyron Williams) of Cayce, SC; two sisters, Joyce Maples of Galena, MO and Anita Bowling of Crane, MO; and a sister-in-law, Nilene McKnight of Crane, MO.
Joe also leaves behind many grandchildren and great grandchildren that greatly loved and adored him, along with nieces and nephews. Joe was a friend to everyone with a competitive spirit and loved being around people.
In addition to his parents, Joe was preceded in death by wife, Evelyn McKnight; son, Randy McKnight; brother, Jay Frank McKnight; and two brothers in-law, Gene Maples and Raymond Bowling.