Obituary for William Thomas Charles (Bill) Knott


Born June 14,1940 in Johannesburg, South Africa son of Robert & Mary Knott, Bill passed away May 27.24 from an accidental death. Married Dec 13,1969 to Yvette Souque.


Bill is survived by his wife Yvette, Siblings Jan/Diantha Knott, Merlynne /Marc Hoare, Bob /Anne Knott. Nephew/Nieces William/Tracy Knott, Therese/Gabriel Cherubin, Nieces/ Candace/Keith Douglas, Robyn/Kyle Hepburn, Robin Knott, great nieces/nephew Lucy, Amy, Carrie Knott, Charles Knott, Emily Douglas, Yulanda, Alena Hepburn. In law’s Jean/Janice Souque, Guy/Fiona Souque, Irene Souque Hewitt, Raymond/ Mona Souque, Pierre/Bonnie Souque , and many other nieces and nephews & great nieces and nephews. Predeceased by his parents, sister Mary Knott, nephew Stuart Knott and sister in law Gisele Souque.


Bill was raised in Johannesburg, South Africa until the family moved to Zambia in 1947 where he completed his high school. After working for a few years in the mines, he obtained his BA in Psychology at Witwatersrand University. He moved to England for a year before immigrating to Canada. He went to work for Hull Home Treatment Center for Disturbed Children as a therapist where he met and married the love of his life Yvette. Two years later he enrolled at Calgary University and completed his Masters Degree in Psychology. While in Calgary he returned to his favourite sport of “Sky Diving” which he began at the age of 20 in Zambia. He continued jumping until the age of 60 completing 635 jumps. In 1974 Bill and Yvette left Canada to tour Europe/Africa for 6 months, then settled in Whyalla, Australia where he was employed by the University of South Australia to develop a social work program. Bill taught courses, recruited instructors and implemented a successful program. In 1978 they returned to Calgary where he taught at the Calgary University. In 1983 they moved to Ottawa where Bill was Executive Director of the “Canadian Sports Parachuting Assoc”. Three years later moved on to his other passion” politics” and became the assistant to the Conservative Whip of the House of Common. After he completed this job, he continued to do government contracts for a few years then retired .


In 2007 they moved to Portage to be closer to Yvette’s family where they built their lovely home and Bill continued gardening and politics at all levels .


Bill always a very physically active man and liked challenges so successfully climbed the 5895 meter high Kilimanjaro mountain in Tanzania in five days.


Bill was a giving man, so much so that he gave hundreds of blood donations and a kidney to a total stranger than gave his body to the University of Manitoba for research. Throughout his life he volunteered and gave his talents and energy to the Conservative party helping fund raise and campaign in many provinces and committees. More recently he was an active volunteer with “Habitat for Humanity, Red Nose, Legion and the Herman Prior Center “


A celebration of life will be held at Herman Prior center in Portage la Prairie MB on Thursday, July 4th at 2pm.