Dr. George William Knight

Dr. George W. Knight, of Abilene, Texas, went to meet his Lord on November 3, 2018. Visitation will be Tuesday, November 6, 6:00-8:00 p.m. at The Hamil Family Funeral Home, 6449 Buffalo Gap Rd., Abilene, Texas. A celebration of his life will be held Wednesday, November 7, 11:00am at First Baptist Church, Abilene. Graveside services with family will be held prior. Services are under the direction of The Hamil Family Funeral Home. George W. Knight was born in Baton Rouge, Louisiana on September 15, 1937, to George and Helen Knight. He graduated from Baton Rouge High School. George met the love of his life, Joan Richard Knight, at Louisiana College, and they married August 30, 1958. This year, they celebrated 60 years together! They brought up three daughters together; enjoying time with family was one his favorite things to do. George brought his family to Abilene in 1976 to teach at Hardin-Simmons University. He was teaching at the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary where he had served as instructor of New Testament and Greek. He was subsequently appointed as the first Cook-Derrick Chair of Bible and Greek at HSU. He was instrumental in developing the master's program in the Logsdon School of Theology, and established HSU's archaeology program, leading more than 20 archaeological expeditions to Israel and Greece. He holds degrees from Louisiana College, New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary, and Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, where he received his PhD in 1973. He distinguished himself in his commitment to teaching and scholarship and his contribution to the larger life of the University and the Abilene community. He retired from the HSU faculty in 2002. Helping people was one of George's passions and he enjoyed serving in many ways. He and his wife Joan were members of First Baptist Church and he taught his Sunday School class for over 30 years, to the present. George also served churches in the Big Country area as guest preacher, Bible study teacher and interim pastor. Avoca Baptist Church was a "home away from home", as he served as a long-term interim pastor and enjoyed many close friendships. He was an active, devoted and dedicated member of the board of Meals on Wheels, instrumental in the growth and large increase in number of needy seniors served. George provided strong leadership in various capacities for 40 years, most recently as the current treasurer. George enjoyed his Kiwanis membership and participated in the pancake supper and other programs for many years. George enjoyed many different adventures and interests in life, some of the highlights are: Driving a 1931 Pierce Arrow car with his friend Larry Rister across the country in the Great Race in 1989, racing cars, watching NASCAR racing, ham radio, speaking and reading 10 languages, archaeology and discovering items at the site of the City of Capernaum, fishing with James Shields, cooking Cajun food and music. His eyes lit up when he saw his two great grandsons, Watson and Walker. His 7 grandchildren were his joy, and he was proud of his three daughters. George is survived by his wife, Joan, his three daughters, Karen Barlow and her husband Jim, Kathy Welch and her husband David, and Luellen Lawler and her husband Phillip. Grandchildren include Nicolas McMinn and his wife Kenleigh, Shelby Beal and her husband Hunter, Braxton Feemster, Zandon Feemster, Caden Welch, Sydney Lawler, and Ryley Lawler. Great-grandsons include Watson and Walker Beal. He is also survived by his sister, Rebecca Tromater, her husband Ray, their daughters, his sister- in- law Linda Keller, her husband Wayne, and their son and daughter. His family sends deep appreciation and heartfelt thanks to Dr. Patricia Shirley, Dr. Nancy Daggubati, Dr. Yamini Kalli and Dr. Victor Reis, and the amazing nursing staff at Hendrick Medical Center, who truly cared and took excellent care of George. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to his heart of service, Meals on Wheels Plus Inc., 717 N. 10th St. Abilene, TX 79601. Online condolences may be left at www.hamilfamilyfuneralhome.com. "His master replied, 'Well done, good and faithful servant!....Come and share in your master's happiness!' " Matthew 25:23