Wade Paul Knight

Wade Paul Knight, 86, of Junction City, died Monday, Aug. 4, 2014 at Geary Community Hospital. Wade was born April 9, 1928 in Ash Grove, Missouri, the son of Orvil B. & Nina L. (Elfrits) Knight. Wade graduated from Central High School in Springfield, Missouri. He entered the U.S. Army and served during the end of WWII. He continued his military service as a career, spending 40 years in the U.S. Army Reserve, retiring as a Master Sgt. in 1988. During his service in the U. S. Army Reserve, he was awarded several awards, the Army Commendation Medal-1st Oak Leaf Cluster, and the Army Reserve Components Achievement Medal-3rd Award, and the Army Achievement Medal. Concurrently, Wade worked for a short time for the Frisco Railroad, but later worked for 34 years, 1958-1992, as office manager for the Missouri Highway Dept. in Kansas City.

Wade enjoyed playing bridge with the Social Duplicate Bridge Club, going fishing, bowling, was a novice poetry writer, and was a volunteer at Good Samaritan Nursing Home. His pride and joy was restoring his customized 1999 Chevy Silverado truck. Wade was a member of Second Missionary Baptist Church, where he served of the Board of Trustees as Budget Director, and was a member of the "Men Of Faith Choir", and Layman Men's Group. He was very supportive of the church. He also was member of the Landlords and Tenants Assn., the Geary County Human Relations Committee, the Earl C. Gormley Post #45 of the American Legion, and the N.A.A.C.P.

Wade married Betty Bench on April 16, 1954 in Springfield, Mo. They were later divorced. He later married Lillie Ruth Edwards on Oct. 3, 1983 in Junction City. She died Jan. 9, 1995. She is survived by 2 sons, Darryl Spriggs, Manhattan, and Tobin Spriggs, Junction City. On Apr. 17, 2005, Wade married Cheryl E. Sorrell in Junction City. Cheryl survives. Other survivors include: a daughter, Colleen Jones, Raytown, Mo.; 2 step-daughters, Cherisse Barnes and Chynelda Archer, both of Junction City; a sister, Jean Brown, Springfield, Mo.; a grandson, Brian Jones; and 4 step-grandchildren, Jackson Wade, Jaeda, Javier, and Jalauni Archer. He also leaves behind several nieces and nephews. Wade was preceded in death by his parents, and his twin-sister, Wanda Pauline Taylor.

Funeral services will be 10:00 a.m., Monday, Aug. 11, 2014 at Second Missionary Baptist Church, with Pastor Leonard Gray presiding. Burial will follow at Kansas Veterans' Cemetery at Ft. Riley. Military Honors will be provided by the U.S. Army Honor Guard from Ft. Riley. The family will greet friends Sunday, Aug. 10, 2014, 6:00 p.m.-8:00 p.m. at Penwell-Gabel Mass-Hinitt Chapel. Memorial contributions may be made to the School of Faith, sent in care of Second Missionary Baptist Church, 701 W. 10th, Junction City, Ks. 66441.