William H. “Bill” Knoell, 91, of Vero Beach, passed away peacefully in his home on Nov. 16, 2015.
He is survived by his wife of 26 years, Julia Wilburn Knoell (Judy) of Vero Beach; his four daughters, Kristin Diehl (Kerry) of Pittsburgh, Penn., Susan DiBattista (Victor) of Pittsburgh, Penn., Amy Watson (Casey Mulqueen) of Manhasset, N.Y. and Gretchen Knoell Higbie (Mark) of Grosse Pointe Farms, Mich.; his 10 grandchildren: Sarah, Nora, Emma and Hannah Diehl, Kate and Jake DiBattista, Taylor and Bryn Watson and William and Carsten Higbie; his six nieces and nephews; Judy’s children and grandchildren: Todd Kirkpatrick and his three children of Fort Lauderdale and Blair Hull (Bill) and their three children of Orlando; and his former spouse E. Anne Knoell of Pittsburgh Penn.
He is preceded in death by his sister Harriet Loos of Pittsburgh, Penn.
Knoell was born on Aug. 1, 1924 in Pittsburgh, Penn., to William F. and Hazel (Holverstott) Knoell. After graduating from Dormont High School in 1942, he attended Cornell University. His studies were interrupted by WWII, during which he served in the Army as an Aviation Cadet. He enrolled in Carnegie Institute of Technology under the GI Bill and graduated in 1947 with a BS in Mechanical Engineering then went on to earn a law degree from the University of Pittsburgh in 1950.
He was an accomplished business leader in Pittsburgh, holding the positions of President, CEO and Chairman of Cyclops Industries, Inc. until his retirement in 1989. He was a member of the Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland from 1981 to 1987, serving as Chairman and Federal Reserve Agent from 1984 to 1987. He was a very active member of the Board of Trustees of Carnegie Mellon University from 1975 to 2012, serving as a member of the Audit, Finance, Nominating & Governance and Executive Committees. In addition, he served as a board member to many leading Pittsburgh institutions including Duquesne Light, Cabot Oil & Gas Corporation, Koppers and St. Clair Memorial Hospital. He was also an advisory director to the Parkinson Foundation of Western Pennsylvania, working to support research and services for those afflicted with the disease.
Knoell was a man who did it all himself! He never called a repair man and loved a challenge. His intellect and practical approach to life will be missed by all.
The family would like to thank Laura Gray of LMJ Management and the caregivers of Advocate In-Home Care and VNA Hospice for their care and dedication.
A memorial service is planned for Nov. 28, 2015 at 12:30 p.m. at Westminster Church in the Galbraith Chapel, 2040 Washington Road Pittsburgh, PA 15241, visiting with the family and reception to follow at St. Clair Country Club. All are welcome to attend and celebrate Bill’s life. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to at www.michaeljfox.org.
