Wendell Ray Knight

November 10, 1930 - January 16, 2017

Wendell Ray Knight November 10, 1930 till January 16, 2017 Wendell Ray Knight, born November 10, 1930 to parents H. D. “Nick” Knight and Biery Griffitts Knight of Hico, Texas passed away to heaven January 16, 2017, at his home in Alamo, Texas. He is preceded in death by the love of his life, wife of 60 years, Frances Evelyn Knight. Together they raised three children and are survived by Joel Knight and wife Sandy Knight, Kevin Knight, Lisa Ramage and husband Lee Ramage. Wendell is also survived by grandchildren Luke and Katie Knight, Joanna Winchenbach and great grandson Carson. He is survived by brothers Joe, Royce, and Allen Knight and sister Betty Dunn. Wendell enlisted in the US Navy at the age of 17, after graduating from Hico High School in 1947. He served in Trinidad and Guantanamo, Cuba before being assigned to Pensacola, FL. Here he would marry wife Fran and begin raising their children. He was promoted to Chief Petty Officer before attending the University of Texas at Austin. After graduating in Mechanical Engineering, he was commissioned Ensign and served at White Sands Missile Range, NM. Next assignment was aboard the USS Oklahoma City, flag ship of the seventh fleet. The ship provided missile and gunfire support off Vietnam from 1964-1967 while wife and children were living in Japan. He then attended the Naval Post Graduate School in Monterey, CA and earned a Masters Degree in Electrical Engineering. He received Professional Engineer certification after retiring from duty at the Naval Shipyard in Charleston, SC with rank of Lt. Commander. After 30 years with the military, he moved the family home to Hico, TX. Wendell worked another decade as an engineer during the design and building of Comanche Peak Nuclear Power Plant in Glen Rose, TX. Wendell and Fran enjoyed years of travel from Alaska to the Amazon River. They also enjoyed their final years spent at Winter Ranch in the Rio Grande Valley of TX. Wendell was an avid gardener, animal lover, and community volunteer being named Citizen of the Year in Hico. His family left behind will miss him dearly, his abiding faith in God gives us peace. In lieu of flowers the family ask donations be made to the First United Methodist Church of Hico.