Wilford Knowles

NEWPORT, RI - Wilford H. Bill Knowles, 86, formerly of Bancroft Drive, Portsmouth, passed away Monday, June 6, 2011 at Village House Nursing Home, Newport, RI. He was the husband for 66 years of Laura Mae Carvalho Knowles. Born in Coldwater, MI on July 9, 1924, he was the son of the late Ornan and Anna Seiler Knowles.Bill served in the Navy for 20 years retiring in 1962. Besides his wife he leaves his children Wilford H. Jack Knowles and his wife BettyJo of Derby, KS, Thomas Knowles and his wife Eileen of Phoenix, AZ and Barbara Ann Hansell and her husband Paul of Princeton, NJ. He also leaves his sister Lila Furtado of Portsmouth, as well as six grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.Bill was the brother of the late Phillip Knowles, Leo Knowles, Cecilia Sims and Genevive Vanaurken.Calling hours will be held on Thursday, June 9, 2011, from 7 - 9pm in the Memorial Funeral Home, 375 Broadway, Newport, RI.His funeral and burial will be private Memorial donations may be made to St. Anthonys Church, 2836 East Main Road, Portsmouth, RI 02871 or to the Village House Activities Fund, 70 Harrison Avenue, Newport, RI 02840