William Charles "Bill" Knutson

William Charles “Bill” Knutson

May 22, 1933 - March 9, 2023

William Charles “Bill” Knutson passed away March 9th, 2023, of natural causes at the age of 89. Bill was born May 22, 1933, in Polson, Montana to Norwegian parents John Arthur Knutson and Pauline Ann (Rau) Knutson. At 8 months of age his mother died, leaving his father straddled with 3 young children. Bill, brother Jim and sister Mary were then separated to live with grandparents.

Memories of Bill’s kind spirit will be long-lived by friends and family. His gentle smile and calm demeanor were the hallmark of his personality. He was a generous and devoted father, always putting his family’s needs before his own.

Bill graduated from Chester High School in Chester, Montana in 1952. That November, Bill joined the U.S. Army for a two-year enlistment, during the Korean War. He was stationed at Killeen Base, Texas, working at a nuclear weapons storage facility. He received the National Defense Service Medal, and a Marksman (Carbine) badge. Bill was a proud veteran.

On September 14, 1963, Bill married Billie Jean Bradley, who had a daughter, Suzie. Bill and Billie Jean had two boys, Randy and Matt. They later divorced. He then married Mary Jacobs, who had three children of her own: Rick, Chuck, and Tom. The newly formed clan of 7 moved to Alaska in 1973, settling in Wasilla, where he and Mary spent nearly 50 years.

Throughout his working career, Bill was a member of the carpenter’s unions in Washington, Montana, and Alaska. He was a master carpenter who could build anything he imagined, from jewelry boxes and furniture to homes and commercial enterprises. His countless projects included building schools and houses in Alaska’s remote villages and working on the Trans-Alaska Pipeline. At the end of his career, he spent his final five working years at the City of Anchorage on a program devoted to making resident’s homes more energy efficient. He will be remembered as a skilled craftsman.

Bill’s decision to move to the Land of the Midnight Sun in 1973 was the best decision he and Mary made in their lives. Being of strong Norwegian stock, Bill practically had fish oil running through his veins. Alaska’s rich seafood bounty truly suited his appetite. He took pleasure in catching and eating it all; all fish (especially salmon), trout, smelt, fish eggs, mussels, clams, and shrimp. His idea of the perfect hors d’oeuvre was smoked salmon, Limburger cheese, and crackers. The stinky Limburger cheese was a bone of contention at the Knutson household. Mary forced him to keep his stinky cheese in a jar in the garage refrigerator!

Bill was an excellent gardener. He took pride in the bounty that filled his root cellar; potatoes, vegetables, jams, even homemade blueberry wine. He enjoyed the simple life. The door to his cellar had a nail that a chain hooked on to close the door. He thought it functioned well – no need to change it. His greenhouse, equipped with a pot belly stove, was abundant with fresh tomatoes, carrots, and cucumbers. The family home he built on Fairview Loop is reminiscent of his love for carpentry.

Every December at the Knutson home, Bill would decorate every square inch of the property with Christmas decorations and lights. To the family, his magnificent display of Christmas spirit notoriously became known as “Christmas Heaven.” It was always a joy to drive past their house to delight in Bill’s creation.

Bill was a man of few words, but many actions. Among his lifetime achievements, he received two special awards. In 1984, he was presented the Governor’s Life Saving Award for aiding in the rescue of 5 people whose boat had capsized crossing a rip tide in Deep Creek, at Ninilchik, Alaska. Also, that year, Bill received the 1984 Citizen of the Year Award from the National Board of Directors of the Citizens Committee for the Right to Keep and Bear Arms.

He is preceded in death by his wife Mary, brother Jim Knutson, and son Rick Jacobs. He is survived by his sister Mary Carr, 5 children, and numerous grandchildren. He will always be fondly remembered for his gentle kindness and loyalty to family and friends. He will be forever missed. Until we meet again.