Willie James “Bill” Knighton

Willie James “Bill’ Knighton, 83, died Tuesday, June 14, 2011, at  Colquitt Regional Medical Center.

Funeral service will be held at 1 p.m. Tuesday, June 21, at Live Oak Missionary Baptist Church with the Rev. T.C. Mitchell officiating. The Rev. J.W. Green, pastor, will assist.

Burial will follow in the St. James Pallbearer Cemetery No. 2. Moe Knighton, Eric Knighton, Clinton Peterson Jr., Clinton Peterson III, Walter Neloms and Shedrick Knighton will serve as active pallbearers. Deacons of Live Oak will serve as honorary pallbearers.

Mr. Knighton was born on May 7, 1928, in Thomas County, Ga., to the late Albert Knighton Sr. and the late Henrietta Edwards Knighton Smith.

He was employed with the City of Moultrie for 43 years before retiring. He was a member of Live Oak Missionary Baptist Church under the spiritual guidance of Rev. J. W. Greene. He enjoyed fishing and visiting with family and friends, his family recalled.

He was preceded in death by his first wife, Katherine Knighton; his parents; one daughter, Willie Mae Knighton; five brothers, Ray Neal, Albert Knighton Jr., Lonnie Knighton, Jimmy Knighton and Joe Knighton; and three sisters, Mattie Ree Toomer, Wylene Owens and Lucille Ziegler.

He is survived by three sons, Moe Knighton, Alphonso Knighton Sr. and wife Joyce, who is a cherished daughter-in-law, and Andre Knighton, all of Moultrie; two daughters, Deloris Fulton of Jacksonville, Fla., and Faye Knighton of Moultrie; one brother, William Knighton and wife Margaret of Moultrie; one sister, Pearlie Mae Moore and husband Sammy of Pompano, Fla.; six grandchildren he raised, Sharon Peterson and husband Clint of Moultrie, First Lady Michelle Mitchell and the Rev. T.C. Mitchell of Thomasville, Bridgette Hall and husband John of Summerville, N.J., Devetise Fulton of Jacksonville, Fla., Edward Knighton of Indianpolis, Ind., and Shedrick Knighton and wife Kalisha of Moultrie; one sister-in-law, Louise Neal of Moultrie; 17 additional grandchildren; 38 great-grandchildren; four great-great-grandchildren; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

The family will receive friends at 113 Nell Ave..

Please remember to sign the online guest register at www.lukestrongandson.com or www.moultrieobserver.com.

Professional arrangements entrusted to Luke Strong And Son Mortuary, Ltd.