Obituary of Leslie Knight

Leslie "Butch" Tillman Knight was born in Louisville, Kentucky on July 23, 1943. He was one of three children raised from the union of the late Carnegie and Dortha (Gilpin) Knight. As a boy, the family moved to Wyandotte, Michigan. He enlisted in the United States Navy serving his country honorably as an aircraft mechanic earning several commendations. Butch married the former Janet Herzog and from this union would come the birth of four children. For twenty-two years, Butch supported his family as a Maintenance Man and Bus Driver for St. Mary's Central Catholic High School. After retiring in 2005, Butch went on to marry the former Joan Stockard on February 4, 2008 in Monroe. For his love of staying busy, he began working again at the Ace Hardware through November of 2014. Butch was a hardworking man that loved giving back to others. He enjoyed cooking and baking for his family. Butch especially enjoyed St. Mary's Central Catholic football. He loved people and continuously caught their attention with his first-rate joke telling. Butch was an avid fisherman and enjoyed walking his dog "Bud". Traveling brought great joy, especially trips to St. Ignace and the casinos. He was a former member of Monroe Full Gospel. Leslie "Butch" Knight, age 71 of Monroe, passed away Sunday, January 04, 2015 at the Oakwood Southshore Medical Center in Trenton. In addition to his parents, his passing was preceded by a sister: Joan Taylor; and brother: William Edny. To cherish his memory Butch leaves his wife: Joan of Monroe; two sons: William (Cynde) Knight of LaSalle and Christopher (Diana) Knight of Monroe; two daughters: Dawn Kendall of Georgia and Patricia (Chad) Hannahs of Charlotte; stepchildren: Jeffrey (Theresa) Bomia of Southgate, Lisa Barboza, Greg Bomia, and Leslie Bomia, all of Monroe; twenty-two grandchildren, and six great- grandchildren. Friends may gather from 2:00pm-7:00pm Tuesday, January 6, 2014 at Merkle Funeral Service, North Monroe 2442 North Monroe Street (734) 384-5185. Military honors will be presented at 7:00pm under the auspices of Monroe Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1138. A Celebration of His Life will follow with Pastor Sally Martin and Pastor Harold Raines officiating. Memorials can be made to God Works. Online guests may leave words of inspiration and comfort, send a floral arrangement, share a photo, or make a donation by visiting www.merklefs.com and then selecting the Online Tributes page.