Willet G. Knight

WILLIAMSTOWN - Willet G. Knight, 91, of Spider Web Farm Road, passed away peacefully at home on Monday, June 12, 2017, with his family by his side.

Will was born in Brooklyn, New York on February 13, 1926, the third son of Frank and Hazel Knight. Will took his first job at Western Union at the age of 15. He worked in the Merchant Marines until he joined the Navy in January, 1944. Will served his country in the Pacific during World War II, and re-enlisted to serve again in the Korean War.

In 1958, Will married the love of his life, Theresa. In 1969, after various business ventures in New York, the family moved to Vermont when Will took a job for the State right-of-way division, working on the project to build the interstate highways. Will loved Vermont and embraced the country lifestyle wholeheartedly. In addition to working for the State, Will turned his wood-working hobby into a business, selling his wares at craft shows throughout the state. He was an active member of the Vermont Handcrafter’s Association, serving on the board for many years.

Will taught in Spaulding High School’s vocational education program in the late 1970s. He returned to public service when he was elected Town Lister for Williamstown. He served as the Appraiser for the City of Barre for ten years before retiring to his beloved Spider Web Farm.

In addition to his family, Will’s passion in life was the Spider Web Farm, where he collected spider webs and entertained visitors from around the world for forty years. He particularly enjoyed sharing his knowledge with local children who visited the farm on school trips. Will was a lifelong learner who loved to read and was an avid music lover.

Will is survived by Theresa, his wife of 59 years, their four children, Celeste (& Tom) Pitts of Lancaster, N.H., Michael (& Melinda) Knight of Montpelier and their daughters Emma and Lily, Willet Knight, Jr., of Williamstown, and Maryanne Knight (& Paul Watson) of Goleta, California, grandson Eric (& Sarah) Pitts and their sons Ben and Luke of Honolulu, Hawaii, Granddaughter Lisa Pitts (& Nathan Hebert) of Portland, OR.

A memorial service will be held on Thursday, June 15, from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Hooker and Whitcomb Funeral Home, 7 Academy Street, Barre. For a memorial guestbook, visit www.hookerwhitcomb.com

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Ainsworth Public Library, PO Box 236, Williamstown, VT 05679, or Central Vermont Home Health and Hospice, 600 Granger Road, Barre, VT 05641.