Obit: Knoll, William J. (1896 – 1963)

Contact: Betty Comstock

Email:  Comstock@Stateline-ISP.com     

Surnames:  Knoll, Lund, Gehrke, Dietsche, Blaubach, Stumpner, Stayton, Neuman, Braun, Kolaisky, Lindekugel

----Source: Loyal Tribune (Loyal, Clark Co., Wis.) 09/19/1963

Knoll, William J. (15 JUL 1896– 09 SEP 1963)

William J. Knoll, 67, of Wausau, a well known conservationist in the area, died at his home in Wausau at 10:30 p.m. Thursday.

In conservation circles throughout the state Mr. Knoll was well known.  He had an intense interest in the related fields of conservation and he took an active part in them.

He served for many years as president of the Marathon County Fish and game Club, a member as Schofield Game and Fish Club, and last year was president of the Marathon County Conservation Council.  He was former editor of “The Badger Sportsman,” a periodical dedicated to conservation.

In addition to serving as an official for organizations, Mr. Knoll was a much sought after public speaker throughout Wisconsin.  Because of his efforts he was honored at Wausau a few years ago by Marathon County sportsmen.

Mr. Knoll was a controversial figure who often took issue with the Conservation Department and its policies.  His favorite target was the game management division, and his favorite topic was deer.  He fought long and hard against the taking of antlerless deer.  He waged his battle in many communities around the state and in the State Legislature.

He was born July 15, 1896 in Waushara County, the son of the late Mr. and Mrs. George Knoll.  He married the former Clara Lund in Wausau, June 23, 1920.  They moved to Wausau from Marshfield in 1938.  He had been a former cheese maker and member of the police forces of Marshfield and Stevens Point.  He retired from operating his own business, Knoll’s Used Car Co., and sports shop in 1959.

Surviving besides the widow are a step brother, John, Loyal; and three half sisters, Mrs. Leonard Gehrke, Spencer; Mrs. Wally Dietsche, Loyal; and Mrs. Leonard Blaubach, Ashland.

Funeral services were held at 2:30 p.m. Saturday at Helke West Chapel.  The Rev. Milton Hay, pastor of Church of God, officiated and burial was in Hogarty Cemetery at Hogarty.

Those attending from here were John Knoll, Mr. and Mrs. Wally Dietsche, Mr. and Mrs. Leonard Gehrke, Mr. and Mrs. Arnold Stumpner, Mrs. Laura Stayton, Mrs. Clarence Knoll, Mr. and Mrs. LaVern Knoll, Mr. and Mrs. Donald Neuman, Mr. Henry Braun, Mrs. Bertha Kolaisky, Mr. and Mrs. Oscar Lindekugel and other relatives from Ashland and Milwaukee.