William Prentice “Bill” Knox, 91, died February 13, 2025, in Salina, KS. He was born August 11, 1933, in Oklahoma City to Prentice Blaine Knox and Kathleen (Campbell) Knox. Bill was preceded in death by his wife Patricia “Pat”, his parents, and his brother Patrick.
Survivors include four children: Shaun Havard (Patrick) of Nevada City, CA; Jeffrey Knox (Paula) of Salina; Sandra Knox (Hugh Martin) of Albuquerque, NM; and John Knox (Juliet) of Denver, CO. He is also survived by seven grandchildren: Will Havard (Shawn Szurley), Mara Havard, Scott Knox, Blaine Knox (Logan Hubbard), Craig Knox, Logan Knox (Miranda), Olivia Magera (Joe), and great-grandchildren: Colby and Grant Havard, Laurel Knox, and a baby great-granddaughter Knox arriving soon.
Bill was an accomplished athlete and attended the University of Oklahoma on scholarships for both baseball and basketball. He was named the Big 7 baseball player of the year while competing for OU. Bill married Patricia Lindsay on December 17, 1954, at the First Methodist Church in Norman, Oklahoma. Bill graduated from OU in 1955 with a BA in Business Administration and a minor in accounting. Upon graduation, he was also commissioned as a Second Lieutenant with the United States Air Force through the ROTC program.
In June 1955 Bill signed a professional baseball contract with the Boston Red Sox organization and played in the Carolina league in Greensboro, NC. In November 1955, he entered pilot training and earned his wings at Laredo AFB, TX in November 1956. He served two years as an air refueling pilot at Schilling AFB, KS in the KC97. Bill was honorably discharged in 1958 and joined Waddell and Reed Services in Salina. In 1959, he and Pat moved their family to Oklahoma City to continue his career with Waddell and Reed. While in Oklahoma, Bill joined the Oklahoma National Guard and for 10 years piloted aircraft around the world. In addition to the Guard, Bill continued his career with Waddell and Reed, first moving with his family to Coffeyville, KS, in 1963 and then to Salina in 1973. When Bill retired from Waddell and Reed in 1995, he held the position of Regional Vice President.
Bill was an avid golfer and successfully competed on an amateur level in local and regional tournaments. He also served as a Rules Official for both the Kansas Golf Association and for the United States Golf Association. Some of the many tournaments he officiated included the Men’s and Women’s US Open, the Men’s US Senior Open, and other USGA national championships. Bill was the driving force to build a new 6-hole golf course adjacent to Salina Municipal Course and establishing the First Tee Program of Salina. In 2010, in recognition of his Rules Officiating and his involvement in the Salina First Tee, Bill was elected to the Kansas Golf Hall of Fame.
When Bill was no longer able to play golf, he began competing at duplicate bridge. In a short time, he attained the rank of Bridge Bronze Life Master and became a certified club director and instructor.
Bill was an ardent supporter of First Tee, Salina Greater Community Foundation, the Salina YMCA, the Salina Presbyterian Manor, University of Oklahoma, United Way, and numerous other charities. Bill often said that his family was his greatest accomplishment.
Visitation will be from 4-7 p.m. Thursday, March 20, 2025 at Ryan Mortuary. A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, March 21st, at First Presbyterian Church Salina, with a reception following at the Salina Country Club.
In lieu of memorial gifts or flowers, Bill encourages you to do something you enjoy, preferably with a golf club.