William Earl Knight Sr. "Earl" was born February 23, 1946 to the late Marion and Nannie Pitt Knight in Petersburg, Virginia.

William attended public schools and graduated from Peabody High School in Petersburg, VA. He joined the United States Army and served in the Vietnam War. He attended Shaw University in Rock Mt., North Carolina.

William worked at Dorothea Dix Psychiatric Center as a Forensic Technologist. He moved to Tyler, Texas in 2000, and worked at Texas College and Sterling House as a Food Coordinator.

William enjoyed reading, writing, poetry, and cooking. Some of his work was published in Reader's Digest. Earl's other interest were listening to music, especially his favorite gospel singers Canton Spirituals. Earl really loved the Word of God, and would talk to anyone who had a listening ear.

He is preceded in death by his parents; Marion and Nannie Pitt Knight, three sisters; Mary Dean Knight, Carolyn Knight Johnson, and Irene Knight Jones, three brothers; Robert "Bro" Knight, Ronnie Lee Knight, and Fred Everett Knight.

He is survived by his eight children; Darrell Gee(mom, Rosa) of Petersburg, Virginia, Sonya, Angela, Jamal Knight(mom,Caroline) of Atlanta, Georgia, and Tamara, William David, Caleb Knight(mom, Tammie) all of Tyler, Texas. Grandchildren; Deon Green, Damesha Barnes, Tiyauna Greene, Lydia Gaines, Shermia Gee, and Mikala Knight. Loving and devoted siblings; sisters; Catherine Caston (Elder Terry) of Texas, Rev. Patricia Knight Brown (Rev. Floyd) brother/nephew; Robert "Norfolk" Knight of Texas and special friend "Mr. Oliver" of Tyler, Texas along with a host of beloved nieces, nephews, family, and friends. To be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord(2 Corinthians 5:8.)