Julian William "Billy" Knippenberg Jr., also affectionately referred to as "Knip", age 83, a retired senior administrator for IBM, husband of Mary June Dennis Knippenberg, died Sunday, April 16, 2023 at Clark Regional Medical Center.

He was born November 26, 1939 in Lexington, son of the late Julian William Knippenberg and Dorothy Roberts Jenkins and was raised in Little Rock by his grandparents, Byron Mason and Alice Franklin Roberts. Billy attended Little Rock Elementary School and was a graduate of Bourbon County High School. In his youth, Billy attended Little Rock Christian Church and presently was a member of North Middletown Church of the Nazarene where he served as secretary/treasurer, song leader, and Sunday School teacher.

Billy was an Eagle Scout, served as a volunteer for North Middletown Elementary School and CASA, was previously active in Carpenters for Christ, loved baseball, softball, and U.K. basketball, but most of all, he enjoyed connecting with people and making them smile. In later years, he also worked for Cave Run Lake RV Outlet with his son-in-law.

He is survived by his wife of 63 years, Mary June Knippenberg and together they raised five children: Vickie Carol Mitchell, Debra June (Rob) Strausbaugh, William Duane Knippenberg, Darin Mason (Sarah) Knippenberg, and Michael Seth Mitchell. Bill is also survived by nine grandchildren, nine great grandchildren, one sister, two brothers, and his beloved brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law.

Family and friends are invited to celebrate Billy's life on Wednesday, April 19, from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. at the Hinton-Turner Funeral Home. Funeral service will be 1:00 p.m. Thursday, April 20, at the funeral home with Rev. Amy Majewski and Rev. Vernon Adams officiating.

In lieu of flowers, donations are requested to North Middletown Church of the Nazarene.