William Fredrick Knuppel, Jr., 1940s portrait.  Photo from obituary.	William Fredrick Knuppel, Jr., 2000s portrait.  Photo from obituary.

Bill's parents moved to South Dakota while he was still in infancy. In January, 1920 the three were living in a rented house on Second Street in Milbank, Grant County, South Dakota. The family lived in a house at 120 S E 6th, Aberdeen, Brown County, South Dakota in 1922. Bill's parents divorced before 1926; after his mother's second marriage on November 10, 1925 he was the stepson of Alvah Mandeville Davis.

In 1930 Bill and his two brothers were living with their mother and stepfather at #4, 408 South Sanborn Street, Mitchell, Davison County, South Dakota. He and the middle brother Delbert are also recorded as living with their father, paternal grandmother and aunt at 211 East Eighth Street, Morris, Stevens County, Minnesota in that year; presumably they alternated between parents.

In 1935 and 1940 Bill lived with his father and paternal grandmother at 508 Montano Avenue in Morris, Stevens County, Minnesota. In the latter year Bill's occupation was given as landscaper, nursery. Later in 1940 the family was living in Minneapolis, now at 2933 34th Avenue S, Minneapolis, Hennepin County, Minnesota. Bill's occupation was given as florist at that time.

In 1946 he and his brother Delbert were recorded as living with their father and stepmother Viva at 2604 4th, Des Moines, Iowa. Bill was then in the U.S. Marine Corps and Delbert in the Army.

Bill served in the Marines for many years, seeing duty during both World War II and the Korean War. He received the National Defense Service Medal, United Nations Service Medal, Korean Service Medal, and the Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal (3rd and 4th Award) as well as numerous other medals. He was honorably discharged on November 30, 1956. Between 1955 and 1958 he was the defending champion of the Inter-Service Triathlon, and was 67 points from going to the Olympics in 1956.

Bill married, — —, 19— in —, — Umphres. She was born — —, 1— in —, the daughter of — — and — (—) —. Bill had two children and a stepchild.

Children:

1. — —.
2. — Knuppel.
3. — Knuppel.

He is described as a fun, caring, giving and loving husband and father, with the greatest love and care for his friends and colleagues, noted for his humor and making great fried chicken. He also retained an interest in sports and politics.

Bill's memoir of his World War II experiences, Boot Camp - Combat - Semper Fi: Marine Memories, was published by Authorhouse in October, 2004.

Bill died at home on Sunday, April 21, 2013, aged 93, with his family around him. He was survived by his wife, two daughters, and step-daughter. A celebration of his life was held at 11:00 A.M., Friday, April 26, 2013 at Grogan Funeral Home and Crematory, 101 Sixth Avenue East, Polson, Montana, followed by full military honors.