William M. Barnett Sr.
Jan. 24, 1939 - June 6, 2009
KNOX - In loving memory of our husband, father, grandfather, brother and friends, William "Bill" Barnett, who passed away, peacefully, Saturday, June 6, 2009, at his home, surrounded by his loving family. Born in Jackson, Kentucky, on January 24, 1939 to Lacy and Cora (Gasparac) Barnett, he was a resident of Starke County since 1953. He graduated from Knox High School in 1959, was an outstanding athlete and was a member of the KHS Sports Hall of Fame. He married Eunice Mae Koontz of Hamlet, on September 19,1964. Over the course of his life Bill went to meat cutting school in Ohio, was a member of Jaycees of Starke County, was a Park Board Member for 16 years, nine years as President, President of the Planning Commission, four years as President, had worked many years at the former Sears store in Downtown Knox, was a avid sports fan and attended every sporting event in the area, and was a member of the Bass Lake Golf Course since 1965, and a member of the Knox United Methodist church. The other love of his life was his coffee buddies in the morning, and his family. Surviving Bill are his wife of almost 45 years, Eunice Koontz Barnett; daughter and son-in-law, Jacqueline (Robber) Elsea of Knox; three granddaughters, which he loved dearly, Hope, Charity and Faith of Knox; three brothers, Charles (Lorene), Thomas (Omie), both of Knox and Walter (Jane) of Kentucky; and a sister, Janice (Glenn) Fletcher of Knox, and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, and his won, William M. "Will" Barrett Jr. Visitation will be from 1 to 9 p.m. Saturday, June 13 in M.C. Smith Funeral Home. Funeral services will be at noon Sunday, June 14 in Knox United Methodist church. Interment will take place at Crown Hill cemetery, Knox. Memorials may be made to the family for the Will Barnett Scholarship Fund.