WILLIAM JOSEPH McKNIFF
March 23, 1928 - May 15, 2017
William Joseph McKniff (Bill) was born in Lancaster, PA on March 23rd, 1928 and died peacefully at home on Myer's Creek, Lancaster on May 15th, surrounded by his loving wife, Marlene, and 4 of their 6 surviving children.
The 2nd son of Sara Graul and Frank Joseph McKniff, Bill and his siblings, Frank and Mary Jane spent their youth in Elmira NY and Media PA. After the untimely death of their father, the family moved to Philadelphia where Bill, at the age of 10, attended Girard College for grammar through high school. Graduating in 1945, Bill entered Georgetown University on a working scholarship.
Bill worked in the Prefect of Disciplines’ office during the day, attending the School of Foreign Service at night. Bill graduated in January of 1949 and was hired as a Sales trainee with the Fire Association of Philadelphia.
Upon the outbreak of the Korean War, Bill applied for Naval Aviation Cadet training and was accepted in 1951. He received his wings and a commission of Ensign in March of 1952. Bill was then sent to Night/All Weather Fighter training school in Key West, Florida and later assigned to VC-4 squadron in Atlantic City, NJ. During this time, Bill took two cruises aboard the carriers USS Leyte and USS Valley Forge, flying the all weather version of the Corsair aircraft. Bill was also qualified in straight wing and swept wing jets.
In 1955 Bill met and married Ruth Tilley and became a father to her 3 boys, Mark, Ray and James Carman. In 1957, Bill and Ruth were proud to add Dorcie (McKniff) Jasperse to the family clan.
Following his service with the US Navy, Bill continued to faithfully serve his country for the next 28 years with the CIA. The family settled in McLean VA where Bill and Ruth raised their children, volunteering for Little League, raising funds for equipment and manning carnival booths.
In 1980, an empty nest and the idea of waterfront living lured Bill into retirement and a move for Bill and Ruth to Lively VA, where they enjoyed their river views for 17 years, until Ruth passed away in 1997.
Two years later, a mutual love of caring for others connected Bill to local resident, Marlene Lasley and a new loving union was born. Marlene and Bill married in 1999 blending their families with Marlene's three children Bonnie, Bill and Heather. The next 18 years found Bill and Marlene traveling extensively to Marlene's homeland of Scotland and frequently visiting their children and grandchildren in VA, PA, FL and Texas.
Bill was predeceased by his brother Frank McKniff, sister Mary Jane (McKniff) McDermott and step daughter Bonnie Dravis. Bill is survived by and will be terribly missed by his wife, Marlene, their 6 children, Mark Carman, Ray Carman, Jim Carman, Dorcie (McKniff) Jasperse, Bill Dravis and Heather (Dravis) Menzies 9 grandchildren: Chris Carman, Rebecca Carman, Jon Carman, Brent Carman, Shane Jasperse, Hannah Wambach, Billy Dravis, Alora Dravis, Danielle and Michael Menzies and 7 great grandchildren: Allie, Emma and Tessa Carman, Kendra and Kaylie Carman, and Aiden and Ashur Carman.
An honorable man with a great sense of humor and a love that ran deep, Bill will be Forever Loved and Always Missed.
A memorial service will be held in Bill's honor on Sunday, May 28th, 2pm, at the home of Bill and Marlene McKniff in Myer Creek. In lieu of flowers, the family would be grateful for donations to Hospice of Virginia, 1328 Tappahannock Blvd., Tappahannock, VA 22560.

“Such is of the course of deeds that move the wheels of the world: small hands do them because they must, while the eyes of the great are elsewhere.” ? J.R.R. Tolkien Lord of the Rings